Internal guidance issued to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices reportedly instructs officers to refer 100–200 denaturalization cases per month to the Department of Justice during the 2026 fiscal year. By comparison, only slightly more than 120 denaturalization cases were filed between 2017 and early 2025.
What Is Denaturalization Under U.S. Law?
Denaturalization is the legal process by which the U.S. government revokes U.S. citizenship after it has already been granted. Federal law allows denaturalization only in very limited circumstances, most commonly when citizenship was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or the concealment of material facts during the naturalization process. In rare cases, it may also apply to serious criminal conduct tied directly to eligibility for citizenship.
The Department of Justice has indicated that it intends to prioritize cases involving individuals allegedly connected to organized crime, gang activity, financial fraud, drug trafficking, or violent offenses. Importantly, denaturalization cannot occur automatically; each case must be reviewed and decided by a federal court.
The Role of USCIS and the Courts
USCIS plays a referral role by identifying potential cases and forwarding them to the Department of Justice. From there, government attorneys must bring either a civil or criminal case in federal court. In civil denaturalization cases, the government bears a high burden of proof and must present clear and unequivocal evidence that citizenship was unlawfully obtained.
This high standard makes denaturalization cases legally complex and difficult to win, even with an increase in referrals.
What This Means for Naturalized Citizens
While the reported policy signals a tougher enforcement posture, experts emphasize that most naturalized U.S. citizens are not at risk. The law provides strong protections, and citizenship cannot be revoked without substantial evidence and due process.
However, individuals who have concerns about past immigration filings, criminal history, or prior misrepresentations should consider seeking legal advice. Early review by an experienced immigration attorney can help assess risk and protect rights.
Contact An Immigration Lawyer Today
Reeves Immigration Law Group has decades of experience in handling naturalization, visas, and asylum applications and has successfully handled some of the most complex cases. Our team of immigration attorneys understands your concerns and will work with you to provide a personalized approach to meet your immigration needs.
Contact us today to speak with one of our immigration attorneys regarding recent legislative changes and for help with setting up your case for success.
