Trump Administration Implements Monthly Targets for Citizenship Revocation Cases
The Trump administration is advancing with its strategy to strip certain foreign-born Americans of their U.S. citizenship, with officials reportedly establishing ambitious monthly targets for denaturalization proceedings. According to recent reports, guidance issued in December 2025 has directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to supply the Office of Immigration Litigation with between 100 and 200 denaturalization cases per month throughout the year 2026.
Implementation of Denaturalization Plans
The administration is now actively implementing these plans, with agency experts visiting field offices across the nation and reassigning staff to meticulously review past naturalization cases. This comprehensive review aims to identify individuals who may face denaturalization proceedings based on specific criteria outlined in U.S. law.
Historically, revoking citizenship has been an exceptionally rare occurrence. Data from the Brennan Center for Justice reveals that between 1990 and 2017, there was an average of merely 11 denaturalization cases per year. Under existing U.S. legislation, citizenship can generally only be revoked under particular circumstances, such as when it was obtained through fraud or material misrepresentation during the application process.
Official Statements and Policy Focus
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for USCIS, emphasized that the administration is concentrating on cases involving credible evidence of fraud. "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," Tragesser stated. "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." He previously characterized this effort as part of a broader "war on fraud."
In 2024, approximately 26 million naturalized U.S. citizens were residing in the United States. Over the past decade, the immigration agency reports that it has welcomed more than 7.9 million new citizens into the country.
Legal Framework and Broader Implications
A Department of Justice memorandum issued in June 2025 declared that President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi would "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence." Officials have indicated that action may be taken against individuals believed to pose a potential threat to national security or those accused of acquiring citizenship through "material misrepresentations."
However, immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have expressed significant concerns that the broader guidelines could lead to a substantial expansion of denaturalization efforts. They warn that this could potentially affect a wider range of U.S. citizens than in previous years, raising questions about due process and the scope of citizenship revocation.
