Can You Lose U.S. Citizenship Over Medicaid or Medicare Fraud?

In recent months, the U.S. Department of Justice has quietly expanded its efforts to strip U.S. citizenship from naturalized citizens under a policy known as denaturalization. Once a rare and extreme action reserved for war criminals or those who obtained citizenship through major fraud, denaturalization is now being applied in ways that could affect ordinary immigrants — even doctors and low-income individuals accused of financial crimes.

What Is Denaturalization?

Denaturalization is the legal process through which the U.S. government revokes a person’s citizenship after it was granted. Once denaturalized, a person can lose all the rights of a U.S. citizen — including the right to vote, obtain a U.S. passport, and even remain in the country.

Historically, denaturalization cases were limited to individuals who committed very serious crimes, such as war crimes, genocide, or acts of terrorism. These were extreme, rare, and targeted cases.

However, under a June 11, 2025 memo from the Department of Justice, the government has outlined 10 new enforcement categories for denaturalization — one of which includes financial crimes against the United States, such as Medicaid and Medicare fraud. 

Medicaid and Medicare Fraud as a Denaturalization Ground

The new policy expands the scope of denaturalization to include naturalized citizens who are accused of defrauding federal programs, including:

• Medicaid and Medicare

• The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

• Other forms of financial assistance or benefits

This means that if the government alleges that you knowingly lied or concealed information about a financial fraud — even years before your naturalization — they could claim that you obtained citizenship through fraud or misrepresentation.

Under U.S. law, if a person willfully misrepresents or conceals a material fact during the citizenship process, they can be stripped of their citizenship.

Who Could Be Targeted

This policy affects a wide range of people, including:

• Doctors or healthcare professionals accused of improper billing or fraud in Medicaid/Medicare

• Low-income individuals who may have unknowingly received benefits they weren’t eligible for

• Immigrants who checked “No” on their N-400 citizenship application when asked if they had ever committed a crime for which they were not arrested

While the Justice Department says this policy aims to target major fraud schemes, experts warn that it could disproportionately affect poor immigrants and people of color, who are often the first to be investigated or accused in cases involving public benefits.

According to a Georgetown University professor, large-scale Medicaid or Medicare fraud is usually carried out by networks of professionals or institutions — not individual beneficiaries. Yet, the government’s expanded approach risks criminalizing and stripping citizenship from vulnerable individuals who may not have even understood that their actions were considered fraudulent.

Why Experts Call It Dangerous

This expanded denaturalization policy represents a major shift in how the U.S. views immigrants and citizenship. By linking immigration enforcement with healthcare fraud enforcement, it sends a chilling message — that even long-time U.S. citizens may not be safe from losing their status.

Experts say this approach could be:

• Discriminatory: It’s likely to disproportionately impact poor and minority immigrants.

• Invidious: It conflates healthcare access with immigration enforcement, which could deter people from seeking medical care or benefits.

• Destabilizing: It undermines trust between immigrant communities and public institutions.

Final Thoughts

The expansion of denaturalization to include allegations of Medicaid and Medicare fraud is more than just a policy change — it’s a warning to naturalized citizens that the rights and security they may have taken for granted can be challenged decades after they became U.S. citizens.

For hardworking immigrants who built their lives here in good faith, this represents a new vulnerability, where even a minor error or misunderstanding could trigger life-altering consequences.

It’s a reminder that citizenship is not just a status but a responsibility — and that navigating the complex intersection of immigration and federal law requires vigilance and expert guidance.

For anyone concerned about past benefits, financial errors, or potential fraud allegations, early legal consultation can make the difference between preserving your citizenship and facing denaturalization proceedings.

FAQs:

1. Can I really lose my U.S. citizenship for Medicaid or Medicare fraud?

Yes. Under the Department of Justice’s expanded denaturalization policy, the government can revoke citizenship if it believes a person obtained it through fraud or misrepresentation — including concealing involvement in Medicaid, Medicare, or other financial fraud cases.

2. What if I didn’t know I was committing fraud?

Intent matters. However, even if you did not knowingly commit fraud, the government may still investigate. If you’re unsure about your past benefits or applications, consult an immigration attorney before making any statements or filings.

3. Who is most at risk under this new policy?

Naturalized citizens — including doctors, healthcare workers, and low-income individuals who accessed federal benefits — may be scrutinized. The policy could disproportionately affect immigrants from minority or lower-income backgrounds.

4. What happens if I’m denaturalized?

If your citizenship is revoked, you could lose your U.S. passport, voting rights, and protection from deportation. In many cases, you may revert to lawful permanent resident status or face removal proceedings.

5. How can I protect myself?

Be honest on all immigration forms, especially your N-400 citizenship application. If you have ever received federal benefits or been accused of fraud, speak with an experienced immigration attorney immediately. Early legal guidance can help prevent life-changing consequences.

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