The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to revoke the citizenship of individuals deemed to have obtained it through fraud or misrepresentation. Since the beginning of 2025, the Justice Department has initiated nearly 90 denaturalization cases, with plans to file at least 250 cases by October. This marks a significant increase compared to the Biden administration, which pursued 24 cases over four years, and the 102 cases filed during Trump's first term.
Under federal law, citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained through fraudulent means, such as using a false identity or concealing a criminal record. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that the administration is committed to preserving the integrity of the naturalization process. Legal experts have noted that while the current cases may not differ significantly from those pursued by previous administrations, the increase in resources dedicated to denaturalization raises concerns about potential impacts on other immigration enforcement priorities.
The Justice Department's civil division has been directed to prioritize these cases, with assistance from U.S. attorney's offices nationwide. Many of the pending cases involve serious criminal allegations, including sexual abuse and drug distribution, as well as claims of individuals using false identities during the naturalization process. Experts suggest that while the cases themselves may not be unprecedented, the scale of the current effort is notable.