Trump Administration Targets 384 Naturalized Citizens for Denaturalization in Unprecedented Move

DOJ Launches Aggressive Denaturalization Campaign Targeting 384 Citizens

The Trump administration is escalating efforts to denaturalize U.S. citizens it deems unworthy of citizenship. According to a New York Times report published on Thursday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has identified 384 foreign-born Americans as targets for citizenship revocation. The DOJ has also instructed civil litigators across 39 regional attorneys’ offices to prepare legal action against these individuals.

While 384 represents a fraction of the 818,000 people naturalized in 2024, the administration’s aggressive stance sets a troubling precedent. Historically, denaturalizations have been rare, averaging 11 cases per year between 1990 and 2017. Under Trump’s first term, the annual rate rose slightly to 15 cases, but the current push marks a dramatic shift.

Unprecedented Scale of Denaturalization Efforts

This year, the government is pursuing denaturalization at a level not seen since the early 19th century. Earlier in 2024, the Department of Homeland Security was directed to identify more than 200 denaturalization cases monthly for DOJ prosecution. The move aligns with the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration, including policies targeting groups like antifa, which the White House has classified as a terrorist organization.

Legal Process and Rights of Naturalized Citizens

Naturalized citizens retain nearly all rights of native-born Americans, with the exception of ineligibility for the presidency. However, the government must still prove its case in either a civil or criminal trial—a process the New York Times describes as "challenging and time-consuming." Individuals facing denaturalization have the right to appeal, further straining an already overburdened immigration court system.

"The government has used this power in the past to target people it views as political opponents."

Concerns Over Potential Misuse of Power

While the administration claims it will only target those who committed crimes or engaged in fraud, critics warn that the president’s rhetoric and policies—such as labeling antifa as a terrorist group—could lead to denaturalization being weaponized against specific immigrant communities. Legal experts argue that the DOJ’s actions risk setting a dangerous precedent for future naturalized citizens.

The push for denaturalization comes amid broader immigration enforcement efforts, raising questions about the balance between national security and the rights of naturalized citizens. As the DOJ ramps up prosecutions, the legal and humanitarian implications of these actions remain under scrutiny.