Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Trump Administration Expands Denaturalization Efforts for Green Card Holders
The Trump administration is trying to take away citizenship from some people who became American citizens after having a green card.
They want to do this because they think these people might have lied or done something wrong when they applied for citizenship.
The government is asking for more cases to be looked at, and they might take away citizenship from people who have been convicted of crimes or even those who didn't report all their income on their taxes.
This is a big change because usually, not many people have their citizenship taken away.
The government says they will follow the rules and give people a fair chance to defend themselves.
The Trump administration is increasing efforts to denaturalize certain naturalized Americans, targeting 100-200 cases per month by the 2026 fiscal year.
Only 120 denaturalization cases had been filed between 2017 and 2023, indicating a significant escalation in efforts.
Naturalized Americans, primarily from Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam, are at risk of losing their citizenship.
Denaturalization is permitted under federal law for fraud during the citizenship application process or other specific situations.
The process involves a civil case with a court order, ensuring due process for the impacted individuals.
- Who
- Naturalized Americans, primarily from Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam
- What
- The Trump administration is expanding efforts to denaturalize certain naturalized Americans
- When
- Instructions for denaturalization cases were issued for the 2026 fiscal year, with a focus on cases from 2017 to 2023
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To target individuals who may have committed fraud during the citizenship application process or other specific situations
- Number of naturalized Americans
- 26 million
- New citizens sworn in last year
- 800,000
- Denaturalization cases filed (2017-2023)
- 120
- Target denaturalization cases per month (2026)
- 100-200
- Primary countries of origin for new citizens
- Mexico, India, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Vietnam
- Legal basis for denaturalization
- Fraud during citizenship application or other specific situations
- Process for denaturalization
- Civil case with court order and due process