When Can the Government Denaturalize a Citizen?
Having fulfilled a dream of becoming a naturalized citizen, many people are shocked to learn that the U.S. government can revoke that citizenship, which is called “denaturalization.” Although this is a rare occurrence, there are specific situations where the government has the power to file a lawsuit in federal court and seek to revoke citizenship.
Ideally, anyone beginning the naturalization journey will work with an attorney. Contact Empowerment Legal, PLLC. We can help you avoid the mistakes which could lead to denaturalization down the road.
When Can the US Revoke Citizenship?
The U.S. will need to prove one of the following if they seek to denaturalize someone.
- Fraud
A person who commits fraud when applying for citizenship can be denaturalized. Lying or hiding important facts is a huge mistake. To seek denaturalization, the government usually needs proof the omission was intentional, not innocent, but even innocent mistakes could garner scrutiny.
The best way to avoid any questions in the future is to hire a lawyer to help you with your citizenship application. We can double-check all information and provide updated evidence to smooth the application process.
- Ineligibility
Some people end up receiving citizenship even though they technically never qualified in the first place. Some common situations include not meeting physical presence requirements or not satisfying the minimum requirement for lawful permanent residence. The government might seek to revoke citizenship in these cases.
Note that the government doesn’t need to show that you lied on an application. Even if the misrepresentation was innocent, you can still lose citizenship if you were ineligible to receive it. The technical term is “illegal procurement” of citizenship.
- Dishonorable Discharge
If your citizenship was based on military service, then you could be denaturalized if you are dishonorably discharged within a certain number of years.
- Membership with Dangerous Organizations
The U.S. can also seek to revoke citizenship if you associate or become a member of certain organizations, such as a totalitarian party, the Communist party, or terrorist organizations. The government believes membership with these groups shows a lack of attachment to the U.S. Constitution, which is a prerequisite to becoming a citizen.
If you become a member of one of these groups within five years of receiving citizenship, then the government can use that fact as proof you withheld information in your application.
Work with a Dedicated Immigration Lawyer
The Trump Administration has aggressively sought to revoke citizenship, and has even made denaturalization a priority. Each year, around 25 people are denaturalized, but the President has expressed a desire to increase the number. Anyone seeking to become a citizen should realize that their history will be scrutinized, including criminal history.
Work with an established law firm when applying for citizenship. A Jacksonville citizenship and naturalization lawyer at Empowerment Legal can ensure you meet the eligibility requirements so that you avoid any accusation of illegally procuring this benefit. We can also ensure information on your application and supporting documents is accurate. Contact our office to schedule a private consultation.
Sources:
uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-l-chapter-2
npr.org/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5445398/denaturalization-trump-immigration-enforcement