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Trump Administration Targets 17 Naturalized Citizens for Denaturalization in Largest-Ever Effort
In a move that could set a new benchmark for the use of federal powers, the Justice Department announced Monday it will seek to strip 17 naturalized Americans of their citizenship. The action marks the largest‑ever campaign to employ the government’s denaturalization authority and follows a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten enforcement against both illegal and legal immigration.
Denaturalization—whether civil or criminal—allows the federal government to revoke citizenship if a person obtained it through fraud or by hiding disqualifying conduct. The process has historically been rare; from 1990 to 2017 the Department of Justice filed an average of 11 denaturalization complaints per year. The new effort expands the categories of naturalized citizens the administration says should be prioritized.
The 17 individuals named in the latest filings span a disturbing array of alleged offenses. Among them is a Haitian immigrant accused of sexually abusing his daughter; a former Yugoslavian citizen convicted of child sexual abuse; a Mexican immigrant convicted of receiving sexually explicit images of minors; a Colombian‑born former Catholic priest accused of child sex abuse; and a Filipino‑born man who pleaded guilty to a child sex crime. Other cases involve an Indian immigrant accused of filing fraudulent H‑1B visa petitions; the daughter of a Colombian drug trafficker charged with money laundering; a Jamaican‑born man convicted of wire fraud; and a Cuban‑born woman accused of defrauding a tribal casino. Several of the cases also involve allegations of using false identities.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would adopt a “zero tolerance” stance toward abuse of the naturalization process. “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters,” Blanche told reporters. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed that sentiment, adding that the administration would “continue to use every lawful avenue to denaturalize and remove aliens.” Mullin emphasized that citizenship is a privilege that must be earned honestly.
The DOJ’s complaints will be filed in federal courts across the country. If a court orders denaturalization, the individual loses all legal benefits of citizenship—including protection from deportation—and reverts to their prior immigration status, typically that of a permanent resident. The process allows the targeted citizens to challenge the filings and attempt to retain their citizenship.
The announcement was first reported by CBS News before the Justice Department released the details. The agency’s statement noted that the campaign is part of a broader crackdown that began in 2025 when the DOJ broadened the list of naturalized citizens who should be prioritized for denaturalization.
Denaturalization has long been a tool in U.S. immigration policy, especially since the 9/11 attacks when the government increased its use of the process against individuals accused of terrorism. The Trump administration has amplified that trend, arguing that naturalized citizens who conceal criminal activity or fail to meet the “good moral character” requirement should forfeit their citizenship.
The 17 cases represent the largest group filed in a single round in recent years, a significant escalation from the average of 11 cases per year in the past two decades. The DOJ’s approach has drawn attention from civil‑rights advocates who warn that denaturalization can raise human‑rights concerns, but the agency maintains that the process is a lawful tool to enforce immigration law.
The outcome of the 17 cases will unfold over the coming months as federal courts consider the complaints. The DOJ has not yet announced any specific timelines for hearings or decisions. The administration has indicated that it will pursue denaturalization aggressively, but the legal process will determine whether the individuals ultimately lose their citizenship.
Beyond the immediate legal implications, the campaign could impact the communities where the individuals reside, set precedent for future denaturalization cases, and fuel the ongoing debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and civil‑rights protections. As the DOJ moves forward, observers will watch how the courts interpret the evidence and the legal arguments presented by the defendants.
The current situation remains in flux, with the DOJ’s filings pending in federal court. The administration’s next steps will likely involve additional filings and possible appeals. The legal and policy ramifications of this denaturalization push will continue to be a point of focus for immigration law experts, civil‑rights groups, and policymakers.
Denaturalization—whether civil or criminal—allows the federal government to revoke citizenship if a person obtained it through fraud or by hiding disqualifying conduct. The process has historically been rare; from 1990 to 2017 the Department of Justice filed an average of 11 denaturalization complaints per year. The new effort expands the categories of naturalized citizens the administration says should be prioritized.
The 17 individuals named in the latest filings span a disturbing array of alleged offenses. Among them is a Haitian immigrant accused of sexually abusing his daughter; a former Yugoslavian citizen convicted of child sexual abuse; a Mexican immigrant convicted of receiving sexually explicit images of minors; a Colombian‑born former Catholic priest accused of child sex abuse; and a Filipino‑born man who pleaded guilty to a child sex crime. Other cases involve an Indian immigrant accused of filing fraudulent H‑1B visa petitions; the daughter of a Colombian drug trafficker charged with money laundering; a Jamaican‑born man convicted of wire fraud; and a Cuban‑born woman accused of defrauding a tribal casino. Several of the cases also involve allegations of using false identities.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would adopt a “zero tolerance” stance toward abuse of the naturalization process. “Criminal aliens are lying about their past crimes, including drug dealers, sexual predators, and fraudsters,” Blanche told reporters. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed that sentiment, adding that the administration would “continue to use every lawful avenue to denaturalize and remove aliens.” Mullin emphasized that citizenship is a privilege that must be earned honestly.
The DOJ’s complaints will be filed in federal courts across the country. If a court orders denaturalization, the individual loses all legal benefits of citizenship—including protection from deportation—and reverts to their prior immigration status, typically that of a permanent resident. The process allows the targeted citizens to challenge the filings and attempt to retain their citizenship.
The announcement was first reported by CBS News before the Justice Department released the details. The agency’s statement noted that the campaign is part of a broader crackdown that began in 2025 when the DOJ broadened the list of naturalized citizens who should be prioritized for denaturalization.
Denaturalization has long been a tool in U.S. immigration policy, especially since the 9/11 attacks when the government increased its use of the process against individuals accused of terrorism. The Trump administration has amplified that trend, arguing that naturalized citizens who conceal criminal activity or fail to meet the “good moral character” requirement should forfeit their citizenship.
The 17 cases represent the largest group filed in a single round in recent years, a significant escalation from the average of 11 cases per year in the past two decades. The DOJ’s approach has drawn attention from civil‑rights advocates who warn that denaturalization can raise human‑rights concerns, but the agency maintains that the process is a lawful tool to enforce immigration law.
The outcome of the 17 cases will unfold over the coming months as federal courts consider the complaints. The DOJ has not yet announced any specific timelines for hearings or decisions. The administration has indicated that it will pursue denaturalization aggressively, but the legal process will determine whether the individuals ultimately lose their citizenship.
Beyond the immediate legal implications, the campaign could impact the communities where the individuals reside, set precedent for future denaturalization cases, and fuel the ongoing debate over the balance between immigration enforcement and civil‑rights protections. As the DOJ moves forward, observers will watch how the courts interpret the evidence and the legal arguments presented by the defendants.
The current situation remains in flux, with the DOJ’s filings pending in federal court. The administration’s next steps will likely involve additional filings and possible appeals. The legal and policy ramifications of this denaturalization push will continue to be a point of focus for immigration law experts, civil‑rights groups, and policymakers.
