The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to file hundreds of cases this year to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans. This initiative aims to exceed the total number of denaturalization cases filed in the past two decades. President Donald Trump has prioritized this effort, with the DOJ compiling a list of 385 foreign-born individuals targeted for denaturalization and encouraging attorneys to take on these cases.
In a two-month period, the DOJ filed 29 cases alleging that naturalized citizens obtained their citizenship fraudulently. The administration plans to file at least 250 denaturalization cases by October, compared to 166 cases filed from 2008 to June 2026. Additionally, cases are being referred to U.S. attorney offices nationwide, which could lead to several hundred more cases.
Federal law allows the government to revoke citizenship for individuals who made false statements during the naturalization process or who received citizenship illegally. Previous administrations have typically focused on cases involving war crimes and terrorism. However, the current administration is broadening its scope to include cases based on alleged fraud related to paperwork.
A senior DOJ official stated that the department is concentrating on individuals who misrepresented their criminal history when applying for citizenship. Despite the administration's focus on fraud, legal challenges and protections for naturalized citizens may complicate the denaturalization process. Cases to revoke citizenship must be adjudicated by federal judges, requiring a high burden of proof and more resources. An analysis by National Public Radio indicates that the number of cases filed so far is limited compared to the administration's stated goals, reflecting the legal challenges involved in denaturalizing citizens.