DOJ ramps up denaturalization, targeting 25 naturalized citizens as top priority

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors initiated denaturalization proceedings against 25 naturalized Americans, alleging they concealed serious offenses and provided false information during the naturalization process. The Justice Department now lists denaturalization as a top priority, a shift that accelerated after President Trump returned to office. According to law professor Cassandra Burke Robertson, previous administrations averaged fewer than ten cases per year, usually focused on national-security concerns such as former Nazi guards or terrorism suspects.

The current wave includes older allegations that earlier governments chose not to pursue, and the administration appears to treat citizenship revocation as a goal in itself, sometimes targeting political critics. Success requires the government to show that any false statements were material to the grant of citizenship, after which loss of status can trigger removal proceedings. These actions will be litigated in federal courts, where defendants can mount strong defenses.