The Trump administration has announced plans to escalate efforts to denaturalize some naturalized citizens, as detailed in internal guidance obtained by The New York Times. This directive, issued to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices, instructs them to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases each month for the fiscal year 2026. Experts indicate that if these cases are successful, it would represent a significant increase in denaturalization actions in recent history.

From 2017 to the present, there have been just over 120 denaturalization cases filed, according to the Justice Department. Under federal law, denaturalization is permissible only in specific circumstances, such as if an individual committed fraud during the citizenship application process. However, the Trump administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to utilizing all available measures to target both legal and undocumented immigrants. Activists have raised concerns that this initiative could inadvertently affect individuals who made honest errors in their citizenship applications, potentially instilling fear among lawful residents.

This guidance aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies, which have included measures such as restricting asylum at the southern border, halting asylum applications within the U.S., and implementing travel bans for individuals from predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries. Officials assert that these actions are intended to enhance national security and uphold the country’s values.

The initiative to increase denaturalization cases marks a notable escalation in an already extensive campaign against perceived immigration fraud. Matthew J. Tragesser, a spokesman for USCIS, stated that the agency's focus on fraud includes prioritizing cases involving individuals who unlawfully obtained U.S. citizenship, particularly under the previous administration. He emphasized the agency's commitment to collaborating with the Department of Justice to restore integrity to the immigration system.