Trump Administration Plans Major Increase in Denaturalization Cases for Naturalized U.S. Citizens

The Trump administration is preparing to significantly expand efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship from some naturalized Americans, according to a report by The New York Times citing internal government guidance. Newly issued instructions from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) signal a sharp escalation in denaturalization cases starting in the 2026 fiscal year.

The guidance, released to USCIS field offices on Tuesday, directs them to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with between 100 and 200 denaturalization cases per month. If implemented, this would represent a dramatic rise compared with historical levels. Data from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center shows that between 1990 and 2017, the United States averaged only about 11 denaturalization cases annually, making the proposed increase one of the most aggressive in modern immigration history.

Under current U.S. law, denaturalization can occur if a person obtained citizenship unlawfully or knowingly misrepresented or concealed a material fact during the naturalization process. These cases are typically complex and can take several years to move through the courts, often involving extensive investigations and legal proceedings.

A USCIS spokesperson emphasized that the initiative aligns with the agency’s long-standing focus on combating fraud within the immigration system. According to the spokesperson, individuals who lied or provided false information during the citizenship process are a priority, particularly cases linked to policies and oversight from the previous administration. The official stated that pursuing denaturalization in such circumstances is consistent with existing legal authority and enforcement goals.

This development comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has focused on stricter enforcement, expanded travel bans, and efforts to challenge long-standing policies such as birthright citizenship. Since returning to office in January, the administration has also paused certain immigration applications, including green card and U.S. citizenship processing, for applicants from 19 non-European countries.

Supporters of the policy argue that it strengthens the integrity of the U.S. immigration system, while critics warn it could create fear and uncertainty among millions of naturalized citizens. As the administration moves forward, denaturalization is likely to become a central and controversial issue in the national immigration debate.