Exclusive: Trump administration ramps up effort to revoke citizenship from naturalized Americans

Exclusive: Trump’s Push to Denaturalize U.S. Citizens

Exclusive: The Trump administration has accelerated its strategy to revoke U.S. citizenship from individuals who became naturalized citizens, aiming to file at least 250 denaturalization petitions by year-end. A senior official at the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed this surge in action, highlighting a significant shift in the federal government’s focus toward challenging the legal status of long-term residents. The initiative reflects the administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration enforcement and scrutinize the integrity of the citizenship process.

Targeting Fraudulent Naturalizations

Exclusive: Since the start of the year, the DOJ has already initiated 29 denaturalization proceedings targeting foreign-born Americans accused of obtaining U.S. citizenship through deceptive practices. This pace far exceeds the typical annual average of fewer than 10 cases between 2008 and June 12, 2026, as documented by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Legal teams are now prioritizing these cases, which involve individuals who may have misrepresented their eligibility or engaged in identity fraud during the naturalization process.

Exclusive: The senior DOJ official emphasized that the administration sees denaturalization as a crucial tool to uphold the authenticity of American citizenship. “The goal is to ensure that those who benefit from our system do so through genuine means,” the official stated. This approach is not only about legal compliance but also about protecting national security and reinforcing the idea that citizenship should be earned, not granted through fraud or misconduct.

Reallocating Resources for Efficiency

Exclusive: Behind the scenes, the DOJ has reorganized its resources, redirecting civil litigators from other units to support the denaturalization initiative. This move has allowed the agency to process cases more rapidly, even as the legal process remains complex and resource-intensive. The department is also collaborating closely with the Department of Homeland Security, which refers individuals with offenses such as terrorism or prior convictions to the denaturalization unit.

Exclusive: The administration’s strategy involves a comprehensive review of potential cases, including those where individuals have committed crimes or failed to disclose their true backgrounds. While the focus has historically been on undocumented immigrants, the current approach underscores a shift toward individuals who may have already established residency but are now under scrutiny for actions that could invalidate their citizenship status.

Policy Priorities and Legal Grounds

Exclusive: The push for denaturalization is part of a broader policy overhaul under President Donald Trump. A June 2025 memo from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate outlined 10 categories for prioritization, such as fraud, war crimes, and ties to terrorist activities. These categories serve as guidelines, but the Civil Division retains the discretion to pursue cases that align with the administration’s goals. The initiative aims to ensure that citizenship is granted only to those who meet strict legal criteria.

Exclusive: Denaturalization cases typically rely on two legal grounds: false statements during the naturalization process or the illegal procurement of citizenship. The former involves individuals who provided misleading information, while the latter targets those who gained citizenship without fulfilling the required conditions. These cases can lead to civil or criminal proceedings, depending on the severity of the alleged misconduct. The Biden administration, for comparison, had filed 24 such cases over four years, according to historical records.

Historical Context and Legal Impact

Exclusive: This surge in denaturalization efforts marks a departure from past administrations, which often focused on high-profile cases involving war crimes or terrorism. The current strategy, however, places greater emphasis on everyday cases of fraud or misinformation. Legal experts note that the process is designed to be rigorous, requiring substantial evidence to revoke citizenship. Despite this, the increased volume of cases has raised concerns about potential overreach and the impact on long-term residents.

Exclusive: The administration’s focus on denaturalization has drawn attention from both supporters and critics. While some argue it strengthens the integrity of citizenship, others warn that it could lead to unfair targeting of immigrants who have otherwise contributed positively to society. The DOJ’s efforts are part of a larger conversation about how the U.S. immigration system balances enforcement with the rights of naturalized citizens.