Trump Administration Escalates Drive to Revoke Citizenship from Foreign-Born Americans
The Trump administration has reportedly intensified its efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship from foreign-born Americans, marking a significant escalation in its immigration crackdown. According to sources familiar with the plans, this move is part of a broader push to restrict immigration and reinforce the administration's policy agenda.
USCIS Staff Redeployed to Denaturalization Cases
Over recent months, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reassigned staff and sent experts to field offices nationwide to scrutinize naturalized citizens. The aim, as per sources, is to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100 to 200 potential denaturalization cases each month. Historically, such cases were rare, typically involving individuals who concealed criminal records or human rights violations during their applications.
By comparison, the Justice Department confirmed that only 102 cases were formally filed during Trump's first term, highlighting the dramatic expansion of this initiative.
Homeland Security's Wider Immigration Push
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already taken steps to restrict immigration more broadly. Reports indicate that enforcement officers have been deployed into U.S. cities on deportation missions, while large warehouses have been purchased to hold detainees. DHS has also revoked thousands of visas, including for some individuals who joined pro-Palestinian protests, and sought to deport green card holders.
USCIS Defends Zero-Tolerance Policy
A USCIS spokesman, Matthew Tragesser, stated that the agency only pursues denaturalization when credible evidence of fraud or misrepresentation exists. He emphasized, "We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud in the naturalization process and will pursue denaturalization proceedings for any individual who lied or misrepresented themselves. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those undermining the integrity of America's immigration system and work alongside the Department of Justice to ensure that only those who meet citizenship standards retain the privilege of U.S. citizenship."
Justice Department Guidance
The Justice Department has instructed attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases, offering examples ranging from individuals posing national security risks or engaging in war crimes to those committing government fraud. Officials also cited a broad provision allowing pursuit of "any other cases ... that the division determines to be sufficiently important." Figures show that the Trump administration won 86 cases during Trump's first term, while the Biden administration secured 54.
Trump's Broader Citizenship Agenda
Observers note that Trump has long focused on the issue of citizenship, questioning who should qualify as American. He has sought powers to strip citizenship from those born in the U.S. to foreign parents, despite constitutional protections for birthright citizenship, with the Supreme Court reportedly weighing his argument. On Thanksgiving Day last year, Trump used Truth Social to declare that he would remove anyone who was not a "net asset" to the U.S., stating he would "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization."
Naturalization Process and Context
According to DHS, around 800,000 people become naturalized citizens each year. Applicants must be over 18, hold legal permanent residency, demonstrate English proficiency, understand U.S. history and civics, and show "good moral character" under the Immigration and Naturalization Act. Traditionally, citizenship was revoked only when fraud was proven during the application process.
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that the United States Department of Homeland Security announced that 18 Nigerians had been added to its deportation list, bringing the total number of individuals set for removal to 97. This update was part of a coordinated crackdown across several U.S. states led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, targeting immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
