The Trump administration is pursuing denaturalization cases at a markedly accelerated pace, filing more such cases in its first term than in recent decades, according to officials and experts. As of late July 2026, the Justice Department reported initiating at least 89 denaturalization lawsuits in federal courts since Trump took office in January 2025, nearly quadrupling the 24 cases filed during the entire four-year Biden administration.
Denaturalization—the legal process of revoking U.S. citizenship—has traditionally been rare, primarily reserved for individuals who obtained citizenship through fraud or who pose serious national security threats, including alleged terrorists and war criminals. A 1967 Supreme Court ruling established that citizenship could only be revoked in cases involving fraud or willful misrepresentation, limiting the government’s use of the tool. Over the past several decades, the government generally pursued an average of about 11 cases annually.
Under the Trump administration, however, the scope has expanded. Shortly after taking office, President Trump ordered additional resources be dedicated to denaturalization as part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy. The Department of Justice’s civil division, which handles most of these cases, was directed to prioritize denaturalization, with U.S. attorney’s offices across the country also enlisted to increase prosecutions. The administration frames this campaign as an effort to uphold the integrity of the naturalization process by targeting individuals who obtained citizenship through deception or who committed serious crimes.
Many cases now being pursued involve allegations that defendants concealed or lied about criminal conduct or associations that would have made them ineligible for citizenship, including convictions related to sexual abuse, wire fraud, drug distribution, and support for terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida and al-Shabaab. The Justice Department reports having won at least 19 cases under the current administration.
Experts acknowledge that the nature of charges being brought does not dramatically differ from those pursued by previous administrations, noting many defendants pleaded guilty to crimes committed before or during naturalization. However, legal analysts express concern that the rapid increase in cases risks diverting prosecutorial resources from other priorities, such as fraud, corruption, and national security matters.
The denaturalization process is generally complex, costly, and time-consuming—often involving extensive evidence gathering, trials, and appeals. Even successful denaturalization rulings do not guarantee deportation, as individuals typically revert to lawful permanent resident status and are entitled to immigration court hearings to determine removal.
Critics warn that the expansive approach, coupled with recent DOJ memos encouraging broader case prioritization—including fraud against private parties or involvement with drug cartels—could open the door to politically motivated or discriminatory actions. Some view the campaign as a tool of intimidation targeting the nation’s more than 26 million naturalized citizens.
President Trump has publicly suggested his administration is examining criteria to strip citizenship from select individuals, including political figures such as Representative Ilhan Omar and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, both of whom he has questioned publicly. Several Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to broaden denaturalization authority, seeking to include grounds such as advocacy for certain political ideologies or felony convictions occurring years after naturalization. These bills, while unlikely to become law, signal growing interest among some Republicans in expanding denaturalization powers.
Despite the administration’s aggressive posture, legal experts expect federal courts to scrutinize denaturalization cases thoroughly, affirming the principle that citizenship is a fundamental right not to be revoked lightly. “The case law is very clear that citizenship is a precious thing, and it should not be taken away lightly,” said a law professor specializing in immigration.
As the Justice Department continues its intensified denaturalization efforts, balancing enforcement goals with legal safeguards and resource constraints will remain a significant challenge.