Starting last month, di Trump Administration don increase di number of denaturalization complaints wey dem file against people wey dem wan revoke US citizenship. For May 2026, dem file 15 complaints, and for di first part of June 2026, dem don already file 18. Dis na big jump from before.
Denaturalization complaints dey based on different grounds. Some na because di person get conviction for serious crime before naturalization, or dem falsely represent dema identity. Also, naturalized citizens wey check “no” for question about criminal acts wey dem never arrest or convict dem for, even if di offense na small thing like speeding or walking dog without leash, fit become basis for denaturalization.
Dis administration don announce say dem dey review long list of cases for denaturalization. Di current efforts dey rooted for Operation Janus, wey Obama Administration start for 2010. Na when dem discover say about 206 people wey dem order deport or remove later use different identity to get immigration benefit.
For 2011, DHS search for fugitives, convicted criminals, or people with final deportation orders from 1990. Dem find about 315,000 such individuals without digitized fingerprint records. For 2012, DHS get $5 million to digitize older paper fingerprints through ICE-led project wey dem call Historical Fingerprint Enrollment (HFE). Di project digitize about 167,000 records before money finish, leaving about 148,000 undigitized.
Even though HFE project no complete, e show say USCIS naturalize about 858 people wey dem previously order deport or remove under another identity. For 2016, DHS OIG report say about 1,029 individuals with older fingerprints get final deportation orders, be criminals or fugitives, and 858 of dem no dey IDENT system at time of naturalization. FBI fingerprint repository also missing records.
For 2017, OIG release second report wey show say as of April 24, 2017, USCIS don naturalize 2,536 individuals with multiple identities. USCIS develop draft guidance to review HFE cases for DOJ for civil denaturalization. Dem manually review about 2,000 HFE cases, and about 1,600 involve people wey conceal information and get naturalization unlawfully.
As of May 2, 2018, USCIS refer 89 cases to DOJ for possible denaturalization, with plan to refer all 1,600. USCIS create centralized unit for Los Angeles Field Office, first call am FOD HFE Unit, later rename to Benefits Integrity Office for November 2019. For 2020 Annual Report, USCIS plan to continue reviewing HFE cases and refer to DOJ.
But number of denaturalization complaints drop sharply from 2019, partly because of COVID-19 and fee revenue shortfall. During Biden Administration, complaints remain low, average less than 4 per year. For June 2025, second Trump Administration reinstitute denaturalization efforts with expansive categories of civil enforcement priorities.
On June 11, 2025, DOJ Civil Division issue memo outlining denaturalization as priority, including catch-all category: “Any other cases referred to the Civil Division that the Division determines to be sufficiently important to pursue.” Dis mean say di types of conduct fit expand.
For 2025, only 8 denaturalization complaints file. But for May 2026, DOJ file 15, and for June 2026 as of June 12, dem don file 18 more. Three of di June complaints dey based on false identity, wey show say USCIS don resume HFE review.
Public access to many of di 166 denaturalization cases dey restricted by PACER. For di 62 wey ground dey available, di bases appear meritorious. Immigration fraud, especially false identity, na di largest single basis for denaturalization historically and for May and June 2026.
Di cause of action wey government use vary since 2008. Some cases dey under 1451(a) for revocation, some under 1451(h) for vacating naturalization. Di distinction important because e determine whether di person revert to Lawful Permanent Resident or become subject to deportation. For many cases where false identity dey, dem bring under 1451(a). For cases with prior criminal conviction, dem also rely on 1451(a) because di person allegedly misrepresent criminal history for Form N-400.
Denaturalization, wey before rare, don become more common. Di combination of HFE resumption and DOJ priority create infrastructure for more cases. TRAC identify dis as new immigration topic wey need monitoring. Dem plan to update database as new complaints file.
Historically, only limited number of denaturalization complaints file, and causes of action vary wide. Dis make trend analysis difficult. Also, few complaints dey published. For dis report, TRAC manually compile list of all denaturalization complaints from January 2008 to June 12, 2026 using PACER and other sources.
Dem use Nature of Suit codes 460, 462, 465, and 890, but many cases no dey correctly categorized. Dem manually review each case. For many, di cause of action dey on Case Summary screen, but no dey consistent across courts. Dem also search USAO website for press releases.
For di 166 complaints, di highest percentage dey under code 890 for May and June 2026. Dis suggest coordination as di administration ramp up efforts.
