Denaturalization is Rising: Can the Government Take Away Your U.S. Citizenship?
Updated: June 2026
By Ral Obioha, Esq. LLM
Board Certified Specialist – Immigration & Nationality Law
For many immigrants, becoming a U.S. citizen is the moment they finally feel safe. After years of visas, green cards, applications, interviews, biometrics, background checks, and waiting, naturalization can feel like the finish line.
But recent reports show that the federal government is expanding efforts to strip citizenship from some naturalized Americans through a legal process called denaturalization. That news has understandably caused fear, confusion, and many urgent questions:
Can the government take away U.S. citizenship?
Who is at risk of denaturalization?
Should every naturalized citizen be worried?
Here is what immigrants and naturalized U.S. citizens need to know.
What Is Denaturalization?
Denaturalization is the legal process the federal government uses to revoke U.S. citizenship from someone who became a citizen through naturalization. This generally does not apply to people who were born in the United States. It applies to people who became U.S. citizens after first obtaining lawful permanent residence, also known as a green card, and later applying for citizenship through the naturalization process.
The government generally must prove that the person obtained citizenship illegally or through fraud. This may include allegations that the person lied, concealed important facts, used false documents, failed to disclose criminal conduct, or was not actually eligible for citizenship when naturalization was granted.
In simple terms, denaturalization is the government saying:
“You should not have been granted U.S. citizenship in the first place.”
If the government succeeds, the person may lose U.S. citizenship. In some cases, they may be placed back into their prior immigration status. In more serious cases, denaturalization can also lead to removal proceedings. That is why denaturalization is one of the most serious actions the government can take against a naturalized citizen.
Can the Government Take Away U.S. Citizenship?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances
The government cannot simply take away citizenship because someone was born outside the United States. Naturalized citizens are real U.S. citizens. However, federal law allows the government to seek denaturalization if it believes citizenship was obtained illegally, through fraud, or through concealment of material facts. This usually requires the government to file a lawsuit in federal court. The government must prove its case. A person does not lose citizenship just because the government makes an allegation.
That distinction matters.
A naturalized citizen has rights. But if the government believes there was fraud, false testimony, concealed criminal conduct, or another serious issue in the citizenship process, it may try to revoke citizenship through denaturalization.
Why Is Denaturalization Back in the News?
Denaturalization is receiving renewed attention because recent reporting shows that the Trump administration is expanding efforts to revoke citizenship from some naturalized Americans. According to reports, Justice Department filings and new data show a significant increase in denaturalization cases across the country.
Recent federal denaturalization cases have reportedly been filed in several states, including Florida, Wisconsin, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The Department of Justice has also announced separate waves of enforcement involving multiple denaturalization cases. These developments reflect a broader federal push to pursue denaturalization more aggressively than in prior years.
How Much Have Denaturalization Cases Increased?
The increase appears significant.
According to data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, known as TRAC, at least 15 denaturalization lawsuits were filed in May 2026 and 18 more were filed in the first half of June 2026.
That is a major shift from historical averages.
Between 1990 and 2017, the federal government averaged fewer than one denaturalization case per month, or about 11 cases per year. TRAC identified 166 denaturalization cases filed between 2008 and mid-June 2026, with filings remaining relatively low for years before rising again after a 2025 Justice Department policy shift expanding enforcement priorities.
This matters because denaturalization has historically been used sparingly, often in cases involving serious human rights violations, identity fraud, terrorism-related concerns, or major fraud.
Now, the government appears to be using this tool more often.
What Types of Denaturalization Cases Is the Government Targeting?
The Department of Justice says these cases are focused on people who allegedly obtained U.S. citizenship unlawfully, including through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts.
Recent denaturalization cases announced by the government include allegations involving Health care fraud; Stock manipulation and wire fraud; Financial fraud; Money laundering; Drug-related proceeds; Sham marriage allegations; Concealed criminal conduct; Sexual offenses involving minors; National security concerns; False statements during the naturalization process.
Some cases involve individuals who were convicted of serious crimes before or during the naturalization process and allegedly failed to disclose that conduct in immigration filings. Others involve allegations that a person obtained a green card or U.S. citizenship through fraud, such as a sham marriage or false statements.
The key issue is not simply that someone committed a crime. It is whether the government believes the person obtained citizenship unlawfully or concealed something important that would have affected eligibility for naturalization.
Should Every Naturalized Citizen Be Afraid?
No. Most naturalized U.S. citizens should not panic.
If you applied for citizenship truthfully, disclosed your immigration history, disclosed your criminal history, were eligible when you naturalized, and did not obtain your green card or citizenship through fraud, this news does not automatically mean your citizenship is in danger.
Naturalized citizens are U.S. citizens. The government cannot simply revoke citizenship because someone immigrated to the United States. But naturalized citizens with complicated immigration histories should pay close attention.
Who May Be at Risk of Denaturalization?
You may want to speak with an immigration attorney if any of the following apply to you:
- You had arrests, charges, or convictions that were not fully disclosed during your green card or citizenship process.
- You used a different name, date of birth, passport, identity document, or biographical information in the past.
- You had prior immigration fraud allegations, marriage fraud allegations, asylum inconsistencies, or misrepresentation issues.
- You obtained your green card through marriage and there were questions about whether the marriage was real.
- You failed to disclose prior marriages, prior children, prior immigration applications, prior removals, prior deportation orders, or prior encounters with immigration officials.
- You received your green card or citizenship based on documents you now worry may have been inaccurate.
- You had criminal conduct before naturalization that was not disclosed, even if the case was later dismissed or resolved.
- You have been contacted by federal agents, USCIS, ICE, DOJ, or another government agency asking questions about your citizenship or immigration history.
- You received a subpoena, court complaint, investigation letter, or request for information connected to your naturalization.
This does not mean you will lose citizenship. It means you should not guess, ignore the issue, or try to explain the situation on your own without legal advice.
What Does the Government Have to Prove in a Denaturalization Case?
The government generally has to prove that citizenship was illegally obtained or procured by concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.
A “material” fact is something important enough that it could have affected the decision to approve the person’s naturalization application.
For example:
- A person failed to disclose a conviction that would have affected a finding of good moral character.
- A person obtained permanent residence through a fraudulent marriage and later naturalized.
- A person used a false identity or concealed prior criminal conduct.
- A person failed to disclose prior immigration history or immigration violations.
- A person submitted false documents during the immigration process.
In these situations, the government may argue that USCIS did not have the full facts when it approved citizenship.
Not every mistake leads to denaturalization.
A minor typo or innocent error is not the same thing as fraud. However, intentional misrepresentations, concealed criminal conduct, false documents, or fraud in the immigration process can create serious legal risk.
What Happens if Someone is Denaturalized?
If a court revokes someone’s naturalization, that person loses U.S. citizenship. What happens next depends on the specific facts of the case.
In some situations, the individual may return to lawful permanent resident status. In other cases, if the underlying green card was also obtained unlawfully, the person may be placed in removal proceedings.
Denaturalization can also affect:
- U.S. passports;
- Voting rights;
- Family-based immigration petitions;
- Derivative citizenship claims;
- Federal benefits;
- Employment opportunities;
- The person’s ability to remain in the United States.
This is why denaturalization cases should be taken seriously from the beginning.
What if My Citizenship Application Is Still Pending?
If you are currently applying for naturalization, this development is also important.
The government’s increased focus on denaturalization serves as a reminder that the N-400 is not simply another immigration form. Naturalization requires USCIS to review not only your current eligibility but also your immigration history, criminal history, travel history, tax history, family history, voting history, Selective Service compliance, prior applications, and sometimes how you obtained your green card.
Before filing for citizenship, applicants should carefully review:
- Prior immigration applications;
- Green card history;
- Marriage history;
- Criminal records;
- Tax issues;
- Child support obligations;
- Extended trips outside the United States;
- Prior removal or deportation history;
- Voter registration or voting history;
- Selective Service registration;
- Any inconsistencies between previous filings and the N-400.
A naturalization interview can reopen questions from years ago. That does not mean eligible applicants should be afraid to apply. It means they should apply carefully and with a clear understanding of their immigration record.
What Naturalized Citizens Should Not Do
If you are worried about your citizenship, do not panic. However, do not ignore the issue either.
You should avoid the following mistakes:
- Do not contact USCIS, ICE, DOJ, or federal investigators on your own to “clear things up.”
- Do not submit explanations or corrected information without first speaking to an attorney.
- Do not destroy documents or records.
- Do not assume an old issue no longer matters simply because you already became a U.S. citizen.
- Do not rely on social media comments or online forums for case-specific legal advice.
- Do not ignore any communication from the government.
If the federal government is asking questions about your naturalization, treat the matter seriously and seek legal guidance as soon as possible.
What Naturalized Citizens Can Do Now
If you are a naturalized citizen and are concerned about something in your immigration history, the best first step is to get organized.
Gather copies of the following documents whenever possible:
- Your Certificate of Naturalization;
- Your N-400 Application for Naturalization;
- Your green card application and supporting records;
- Prior immigration filings;
- Approval notices and interview notices;
- Immigration court records;
- Criminal court records;
- Tax records;
- Marriage and divorce records;
- Name change documents;
- Current and expired passports;
- Travel history records;
- Documents used to obtain permanent residence or citizenship.
If you do not have your complete immigration file, an attorney may be able to help obtain records through a FOIA request or other record retrieval process. If you believe there may be an issue, it is generally better to understand the potential risk before the government contacts you.
FAQ: Denaturalization and U.S. Citizenship
1. Can a naturalized U.S. citizen lose citizenship?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. The government generally must prove that citizenship was obtained illegally, through fraud, or by concealing a material fact.
2. Does denaturalization apply to people born in the United States?
Generally, denaturalization applies to individuals who became U.S. citizens through naturalization. It does not usually apply to people who acquired citizenship by birth in the United States.
3. Can a criminal record lead to denaturalization?
A criminal record may create denaturalization risk if the government believes the person concealed criminal conduct, made false statements about it, or was otherwise ineligible to naturalize. The specific facts and timing of the conduct are important.
4. Can marriage fraud lead to denaturalization?
Yes. If the government proves that a person obtained a green card through a fraudulent marriage and later became a U.S. citizen based on that green card, it may seek to revoke citizenship.
5. Should I apply for citizenship if I have a complicated immigration history?
Possibly. However, you should carefully review your immigration history before filing. Naturalization can trigger a review of prior immigration filings, criminal records, travel history, tax issues, marriage history, and the circumstances surrounding your green card approval.
6. What should I do if the government contacts me about my citizenship?
Do not ignore the communication, and do not attempt to handle the matter alone. Speak with an experienced immigration attorney before responding to any federal agency, investigator, subpoena, or court filing.
The Bottom Line
Denaturalization is serious, but it is not automatic.
The government cannot simply strip citizenship from naturalized Americans because they were born in another country. However, the recent increase in denaturalization cases suggests that federal authorities are taking a more aggressive approach to investigating certain naturalization cases.
For most naturalized citizens, there is no reason to panic.
However, if your immigration history includes fraud allegations, criminal history, identity issues, undisclosed information, marriage-based concerns, prior immigration violations, or inconsistent filings, this may be the right time to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.
Speak With an Experienced Immigration Attorney About Your Case
Citizenship is one of the most important legal protections a person can have.
If there is a concern about how that citizenship was obtained, do not wait until the government files a case.
At Law Office of Ral Obioha, PLLC, we help immigrants and naturalized U.S. citizens review complex immigration histories, understand potential risks, and develop legal strategies when citizenship, immigration status, and family stability are on the line.
If you are concerned about your naturalization history or would like to better understand your situation before applying for citizenship, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
📩 Contact our office to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
Warmly,
Board Certified Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law
Ral Obioha Law, PLLC
Let’s talk.We offer consultations to help you understand your options and take the next steps.
📧 Email Us: hello@ralobiohalaw.com
📞 Call: (713) 234-1100
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney regarding your individual circumstances.
