The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is undertaking its largest-ever effort to revoke citizenship, filing complaints against 24 naturalized citizens accused of crimes ranging from attempted murder to child sexual abuse and identity fraud. This surge in denaturalization cases was announced on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the importance of lawful and honest naturalization, stating, "U.S. citizenship is one of our nation's highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly."

The complaints, filed between July 20 and August 3, involve individuals originally from 17 countries including Pakistan, Moldova, India, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Jamaica, Taiwan, Honduras, Cameroon, Jordan, Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, and Sweden.

Blanche detailed that these individuals secured citizenship through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct, such as hiding violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts.

Justice Department’s Civil Division Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate described the initiative as "the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history."

Among the cases, the DOJ seeks to denaturalize a man in North Carolina convicted of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly failing to meet the required period of honorable military service despite obtaining citizenship through military service. Additionally, prosecutors allege a naturalized citizen in South Carolina concealed a violent assault on his wife, later pleading guilty to assault and battery after the attack left her hospitalized.

The DOJ stated, "Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship. We are moving at record speed to denaturalize those who sought to deceive the federal government and abuse the naturalization process."

Sources