US denaturalization lawsuits surge under Trump administration

The Trump administration has significantly increased efforts to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans. Data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows that at least 105 civil denaturalization lawsuits were filed in federal district courts during the first seven months of 2026. Notably, 50 of these cases were filed in July alone.

This surge represents a sharp departure from historical trends; between 2008 and 2025, approximately 125 such lawsuits were filed nationwide in total. The Justice Department has prioritized these proceedings as part of a broader immigration crackdown.

While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) identifies and investigates potential cases, the Justice Department must initiate civil litigation to strip citizenship. These cases typically allege that individuals obtained citizenship through fraud, misrepresentation, or the concealment of material facts during the naturalization process. If the government succeeds in court, the individual loses their U.S. citizenship and may face removal proceedings.