The New York Times reported recently, citing internal guidance it obtained, that the Trump administration is preparing for an unprecedented escalation in efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship from some naturalized Americans as part of a new phase of stricter immigration enforcement.According to the report, internal directives issued Tuesday to field offices of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instruct them to refer between 100 and 200 denaturalization cases per month to the agency’s immigration litigation office during the 2026 fiscal year.Experts said the target would represent a dramatic increase compared with previous years. From 2017 until now, just over 120 denaturalization cases have been filed in total, according to data from the Department of Justice.Legal Basis and ConcernsUnder federal law, revoking citizenship is permitted only in limited circumstances, most commonly when citizenship was obtained through fraud or deliberate misrepresentation during the naturalization process. Critics warn that a large-scale campaign could create a climate of fear among naturalized citizens and potentially ensnare individuals who made minor or unintentional errors in their paperwork.Former government officials expressed concern about turning denaturalization into a system driven by monthly numerical targets. One former official warned that setting quotas could politicize a process that has historically been rare, describing denaturalization as a powerful and dangerous tool that should be used sparingly.Government ResponseA spokesperson for USCIS said the agency is prioritizing cases involving individuals who obtained citizenship illegally. The spokesperson added that USCIS will pursue denaturalization against those who “lied or provided false information” during the naturalization process, working in coordination with the Department of Justice to “restore integrity” to the immigration system.Supporters Defend the MoveSupporters of tougher immigration enforcement defended the plan. The president of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates restrictive immigration policies, said the United States remains “far” from revoking citizenship on a mass scale and argued that intensified efforts are necessary to identify individuals who obtained citizenship improperly.Key FiguresApproximately 26 million naturalized U.S. citizens live in the United States, according to Census Bureau data.More than 800,000 people were sworn in as new U.S. citizens last year, according to USCIS.How Denaturalization WorksUSCIS refers potential denaturalization cases to the Department of Justice, and any revocation of citizenship must be ordered by a federal court. Cases can proceed through either civil or criminal pathways. In civil cases, the government must present clear and convincing evidence that citizenship was unlawfully obtained or that a material fact was concealed during the naturalization process.
