The United States Department of Justice has initiated 40 new cases aimed at revoking the citizenship of naturalized Americans due to alleged criminal activities.
On Monday, federal prosecutors highlighted their focus on individuals accused of serious offenses such as money laundering, child sexual abuse, visa fraud, and tax evasion.
This announcement marks the largest batch of denaturalization petitions submitted in such a brief timeframe under President Donald Trump’s administration, with filings occurring from late August to early October.
Key officials are working to broaden the application of rarely used laws that can strip naturalized citizens of their citizenship.
“Today’s announcement represents the largest denaturalization effort in modern history,” stated Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is committed to utilizing the denaturalization process to enhance our national security and safeguard the American people.”
The 40 individuals identified come from diverse backgrounds, including Mexico, Pakistan, China, and Sierra Leone. They face accusations of hiding criminal activities and pertinent information during their citizenship applications, with many of their convictions occurring after they took their oaths.
Additionally, two individuals are under suspicion for espionage activities on behalf of China.
The Trump administration is intensifying its denaturalization efforts, which have historically targeted serious crimes.
Following World War II, the U.S. government denaturalized numerous citizens linked to the Holocaust or war crimes. However, this practice diminished significantly after the Cold War.
Now, top officials in the Trump administration are pushing to expand denaturalization as part of a broader strategy aimed at executing the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Under U.S. law, prosecutors can request courts to revoke citizenship from individuals born outside the U.S. if they intentionally concealed significant information during their citizenship applications that would have disqualified them.
Rights organizations express concern over these developments, warning that such actions could render some individuals stateless. Critics argue that the administration may use denaturalization as a tool against perceived political opponents.
President Trump has previously voiced support for revoking citizenship from large numbers of Somali Americans amid accusations of daycare fraud in Minnesota.
Members of the Republican Party have also suggested the possibility of stripping citizenship from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was born in Uganda.
Separately, Trump has advocated for the termination of birthright citizenship, which grants citizenship to nearly all children born in the U.S., albeit with limited exceptions. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and cannot be revoked in the same manner as naturalized citizenship.
