He Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a strategy to accelerate the processes of revocation of citizenshipwith at least 384 people identified as possible targets in a first phase. The measure, revealed by The New York Times, marks a relevant turn in immigration policy by expanding the use of denaturationa historically rare practice.
According to people familiar with the matter, the plan includes assigning these cases to prosecutors from 39 regional offices throughout the country, instead of concentrating them solely on immigration litigation specialists. With this, the authorities seek streamline procedures that are usually complex and lengthy.
US law allows withdraw citizenship from people who have obtained it through fraudsuch as simulated marriages or the omission of relevant antecedents. It can also be applied in cases linked to certain crimes. However, the standard just is high.
“For the civil revocation of naturalization, the burden of proof requires clear, convincing and unequivocal evidence that leaves no room for doubt on the matter,” stated the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on its website.
Unusual increase in cases
The spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Matthew Tragesserconfirmed that this is the largest volume of referrals in recent history. “We are processing the largest number of naturalization revocation cases ever recorded,” he said.
From the White House, Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the initiative: “Fraud in obtaining citizenship is a serious crime; those who have deceived the system will be held accountable before justice.”
This is not the first time they have been detected. irregularities in naturalization processes. A 2017 report by the DHS inspectorate revealed that digitizing old paper fingerprints identified more than 800 people who had obtained U.S. citizenship despite having previously been deported under different identities.
However, specialists warn that the scope of the idea could have broader effects. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia, said the message is sensitive: “It suggests that naturalized citizens do not have the same stability as those born in the country” and added that “the government has used this power in the past to attack those it considers political opponents.”
Context and figures
Historically, cases of denaturalization have been limited. Between 1990 and 2017, just over 300 processes were registeredan average of just 11 per year. In contrast, between 2017 and recent years the figure exceeded 120 cases, reflecting a sustained increase.
The new approach could multiply those numbers. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has referred more than 200 cases monthly to the DOJ in recent months.
This hardening occurs in a context in which more than 818 thousand immigrants obtained US citizenship in 2024, after completing a rigorous process that includes background checks, language and civic knowledge tests.
Some access naturalization through marriage with US citizens after three years, while others do so after maintaining permanent residence (Green Card) for at least five. In all cases, the process culminates with the passing of civic education and English exams.
Although the government insists that The measure seeks to combat fraudcritics fear that the expanded use of denaturalization will create uncertainty among millions of naturalized citizens.
Furthermore, the reallocation of resources towards these cases could affect other key areas, such as prosecution of financial fraud or the defense of civil rights.
Keep reading:
- Giving up US citizenship will now be 80% cheaper
- Trump toughens idea to remove citizenship from those born outside the US
- Time is running out to apply for citizenship and take the 100-question exam
