Justice Department files denaturalization actions against 12 over concealed serious offences
Updated
Updated · Department of Justice · May 8
Justice Department files denaturalization actions against 12 over concealed serious offences
13 articles · Updated · Department of Justice · May 8
Complaints were filed in multiple US district courts, including Phoenix, targeting naturalised citizens from Iraq, Colombia, Morocco, Somalia, Gambia, Bolivia, Uzbekistan, Kenya, India, China, Nigeria and Colombia.
The allegations span support for al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab, war crimes in Gambia, child sexual abuse, gun trafficking, sham marriages, investor fraud, identity fraud and spying for Cuba.
The civil cases, brought with USCIS and several US attorney's offices, are part of a broader Trump administration push to accelerate denaturalisation, though the allegations have not been proven in court.
With denaturalization on the rise, what minor past offenses could now put your citizenship at risk?
How are digital dragnets now uncovering old secrets that could revoke someone's U.S. citizenship?
Unprecedented DOJ Effort to Revoke Citizenship of 1,000+ Naturalized Americans in 2026
Overview
In 2026, the DOJ launched an unprecedented denaturalization campaign targeting over 1,000 naturalized Americans, with 384 individuals identified by April. The effort focuses on cases involving fraud during naturalization and serious crimes threatening national security. To meet ambitious goals, the DOJ directs USCIS to supply 100-200 cases monthly and decentralizes prosecutions across 39 U.S. attorney offices. This surge raises serious concerns about due process, creating a two-tiered citizenship system where naturalized citizens face ongoing vulnerability. The campaign risks straining courts, disrupting families through deportations, and undermining the permanence and equality of American citizenship.