DOJ files denaturalization actions against 40 naturalized citizens
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday that it had filed denaturalization actions against 40 naturalized citizens, marking the largest such effort in modern history.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the filings, submitted between Aug. 21 and Oct. 2, target individuals who concealed material facts on their citizenship applications, including espionage, violent crimes and sexual offenses against minors. "Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history," Blanche said, emphasizing the need to safeguard national security.
"Every single one of these individuals lied their way into U.S. citizenship," Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added. "This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalization effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in U.S. citizenship."
The complaints were lodged in multiple U.S. district courts. Among the accused are a man who acted as an agent for the Chinese Communist Party, a former child‑pornography distributor, a convict of voluntary manslaughter, and a perpetrator of aggravated sodomy against a special‑needs adult. Ages range from the mid‑30s to mid‑70s, and nationalities span Mexico, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Nepal, Peru, Haiti, Ghana, China, and Cambodia.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized citizen’s status may be revoked if the naturalization was obtained by fraud, concealment of a material fact, or willful misrepresentation. The DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs noted that the 40 complaints constitute the highest volume filed in a single period under the Trump administration.
Legal experts note that revocation could lead to removal proceedings and criminal prosecution. If a court upholds the denaturalization, the individuals face deportation after serving any pending sentences.
The Justice Department said it continues to review roughly 300 additional naturalization cases linked to suspected fraud, signaling that this initiative may expand as the administration pursues broader immigration integrity measures.
