Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Trump Administration Targets Denaturalization of US Citizens
The Trump administration is looking into taking away US citizenship from some people who became citizens after moving to the US.
This is called denaturalization.
They are planning to check a lot of cases to see if people should still be citizens.
Usually, this happens if someone lied or hid important information when they applied for citizenship.
There are about 26 million naturalized Americans, and the government is making it harder to become a citizen by changing the test.
If someone loses their citizenship, they might become a permanent resident again but won't have all the rights of a US citizen.
The Trump administration is considering revoking US citizenship from naturalized immigrants, with plans to review 100-200 denaturalization cases per month by the 2026 fiscal year.
Denaturalization is permitted under federal law in cases of fraud or misrepresentation during the citizenship application process.
There are approximately 26 million naturalized Americans, with over 800,000 new citizens sworn in last year, primarily from Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam.
Green card holders must pass an updated civics test to obtain US citizenship, with the modified 2025 test required for applications after October 20, 2025.
Denaturalization can result from concealment or intentional misrepresentation of material facts, and a court order is necessary for the process.
- Who
- Naturalized US citizens, primarily from Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam
- What
- Potential denaturalization of US citizens by the Trump administration
- When
- Ongoing, with plans to intensify efforts by the 2026 fiscal year
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Alleged flaws in the naturalization and vetting processes, and to target individuals convicted of crimes or under-reporting income on tax returns
- Naturalized Americans
- 26 million
- New Citizens in 2023
- 800,000
- Denaturalization Cases (2017-2024)
- 120
- Denaturalization Cases Target (2026)
- 100-200 per month
- Primary Countries of Origin
- Mexico, India, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Vietnam
- Denaturalization Grounds
- Fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts
- Civics Test Update
- Modified 2025 test for naturalization applications after October 20, 2025