Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, IMMIGRATION NEWS—DOJ launches record denaturalization drive with 25 new citizenship revocation cases, (Aug 4, 2026)

By Patricia K. Ruiz, J.D.

The DOJ says its filings target individuals accused of concealing crimes, using fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying conduct during the naturalization process.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed 25 civil denaturalization actions against naturalized citizens accused of offenses ranging from attempted murder and domestic violence to child sexual abuse, marriage fraud, and identity fraud. The department said the complaints constitute the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in its history, bringing the total number of civil denaturalization complaints filed since January 20, 2025, to 123. According to the DOJ, the cases seek to revoke citizenship on the grounds that naturalization was illegally procured or obtained through concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentations.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the complaints allege that the defendants obtained naturalization through "fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct," including concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate called the filings "the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history."

Allegations. The complaints span a broad range of alleged conduct. Among the cases highlighted by the DOJ are actions against individuals accused of concealing prior removal orders, using multiple identities to obtain immigration benefits, participating in marriage-fraud schemes, committing violent assaults, engaging in bank and credit-card fraud, and sexually abusing children before or during the statutory period in which they were required to demonstrate good moral character for naturalization. The department also filed complaints against individuals who obtained citizenship through military-service provisions but were later discharged under conditions that the DOJ alleges make them subject to denaturalization. The DOJ noted that the claims in the complaints are allegations only and that there has been no determination of liability.

Legal basis. According to the DOJ, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits revocation of naturalized citizenship and cancellation of a certificate of naturalization if citizenship was "illegally procured" or obtained through "concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation." The department relied on those provisions in each of the newly filed actions.

Connection to DOJ enforcement priorities. The announcement follows a June 2025 Civil Division enforcement memorandum, which designated denaturalization as a priority area and directed attorneys to "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence." The memorandum identifies priority categories that include individuals alleged to pose national-security risks, those involved in war crimes or human-rights violations, persons who further criminal gangs or cartels, individuals who committed undisclosed felonies, those involved in human trafficking, sex offenses or violent crimes, persons engaged in fraud against the United States or private parties, and individuals who obtained naturalization through corruption, fraud, or material misrepresentations.

Denaturalization. Denaturalization is the process by which the federal government revokes the U.S. citizenship of a naturalized citizen. According to a fact sheet from the National Immigration Forum (NIF) and an FAQ from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), denaturalization can occur through civil proceedings or following a criminal conviction for naturalization fraud, but citizenship may be revoked only through judicial action. A federal agency cannot unilaterally strip an individual of citizenship.

The government generally may seek denaturalization on two grounds: procurement of naturalization through concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation, and illegal procurement of naturalization. Illegal procurement refers to situations in which a person allegedly failed to satisfy statutory requirements for citizenship, including lawful permanent residence, physical-presence requirements, residence requirements, good moral character, or attachment to the Constitution.

Process. According to the ILRC FAQ, denaturalization cases typically begin when the Department of Homeland Security refers a matter to a U.S. Attorney's Office, which determines whether to pursue the case in federal court. A federal judge ultimately decides whether citizenship should be revoked after the individual has an opportunity to contest the government's allegations. A person whose citizenship is revoked generally returns to the immigration status held before naturalization and may face removal proceedings if no lawful immigration status remains.

Burden of proof, statute of limitations. The NIF fact sheet states that the federal government bears a substantial burden of proof in denaturalization proceedings. In civil cases, the government must establish its claims through "clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence" that does not leave the issue in doubt. Criminal naturalization-fraud cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The fact sheet further states that there is no statute of limitations for civil denaturalization proceedings, while criminal denaturalization based on naturalization fraud is subject to a 10-year statute of limitations. The ILRC FAQ likewise notes that civil denaturalization actions may be brought regardless of how long an individual has held U.S. citizenship.

Companies: National Immigration Forum; Immigrant Legal Resource Center

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