The Trump administration has initiated what officials describe as the largest coordinated effort in modern U.S. history to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans accused of immigration fraud or related criminal conduct.
According to the Justice Department, federal attorneys have filed civil complaints targeting 17 U.S. citizens who are alleged to have either concealed criminal activity during the naturalization process or otherwise failed to meet eligibility requirements for citizenship.
The announcement was reported by CBS News, which first disclosed details of the plan before the administration formally released it.
Officials said the cases involve individuals accused or convicted of serious offenses, including child sexual abuse, fraud, identity-related crimes, and other violations.
The Justice Department stated that some of the defendants are alleged to have provided false information on immigration applications or concealed prior criminal conduct in order to obtain citizenship.
Denaturalization Powers
Under U.S. law, denaturalization is permitted when citizenship is obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts.
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The process requires the government to file a civil or criminal case in federal court and prove that the individual was not legally eligible for naturalization at the time it was granted.
Historically, the use of denaturalization has been rare. Government data and historical estimates show that between 1990 and 2017, the Department of Justice filed an average of roughly 11 denaturalization cases per year.
The Trump administration has expanded its use in recent years as part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy. Officials have previously said they are widening the categories of cases eligible for review, including those involving fraud, national security concerns, and serious criminal convictions.
Current Cases
Court filings cited by the Justice Department indicate that the 17 individuals are from multiple countries and were naturalized in the United States at different times.
The allegations include failure to disclose prior criminal convictions, use of false identities, and submission of fraudulent visa or immigration documents.
Among the cases described by officials are allegations involving child sexual abuse, financial fraud, and immigration-related deception. The Justice Department said some defendants are accused of failing to meet the “good moral character” requirement, which is a statutory condition for naturalization.
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Officials emphasized that the individuals will have the opportunity to contest the allegations in federal court. If the government prevails, the affected persons would lose U.S. citizenship and typically revert to their previous immigration status, often lawful permanent residency, which may make them subject to deportation proceedings.
Homeland Security Statements
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department will maintain what he described as a “zero tolerance” approach toward fraud in the naturalization system.
“Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters,” Blanche said in a statement.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration will continue to use all lawful tools available to enforce immigration laws and ensure the integrity of the citizenship process.
“American citizenship is a privilege, and it must be earned honestly,” Mullin said. “If you come here, break our laws, and lie in your immigration proceedings, you forfeit that privilege.”
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