What Every Naturalized American Should Know
October 16, 2025
Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the proudest moments in an immigrant’s life. For many, it represents the end of a long journey — years of hard work, sacrifice, and hope finally rewarded. But what happens when the government says it wants to take that away?
This is the frightening reality behind denaturalization, a legal process where the U.S. government can revoke a person’s citizenship. With a new Department of Justice (DOJ) memo released on June 11, 2025, the risk of denaturalization has once again become a topic of serious concern for nearly 25 million naturalized Americans.
At McBean Law, we help clients nationwide navigate the complex world of U.S. immigration law with confidence, compassion, and clarity. Led by Attorney LaToya McBean Pompy, a nationally recognized immigration attorney and 2024, 2025, & 2026 honoree of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, McBean Law brings unmatched experience in both federal policy and courtroom advocacy. Before founding the firm in 2016, Attorney McBean Pompy worked in various roles within the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Congress, and both federal and state courts.
What Is Denaturalization?
Denaturalization is the process by which the U.S. government revokes a person’s citizenship. Once a person is denaturalized, they lose all the rights and protections that come with being a U.S. citizen — including the right to vote, hold a U.S. passport, and remain in the United States.
In some cases, denaturalized individuals revert to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. But for others, losing citizenship can lead directly to deportation, especially if they no longer have any valid immigration status to fall back on.
The 2025 DOJ Memo: Who They’re Targeting
The June 11, 2025 DOJ memo lays out 10 categories of individuals the government is prioritizing for denaturalization. This list is broad — and potentially concerning.
The priority groups include naturalized citizens who:
- Pose a danger to national security (terrorism or espionage).
- Committed torture, war crimes, or other human rights violations.
- Were involved with criminal gangs, drug cartels, or transnational criminal organizations.
- Committed serious felonies that were not disclosed during the naturalization process.
- Engaged in human trafficking, sex offenses, or violent crimes.
- Committed financial fraud against the U.S., including Medicare, Medicaid, or PPP loan fraud.
- Engaged in private financial fraud schemes.
- Obtained citizenship through corruption, fraud, or misrepresentation.
- Have pending criminal charges not covered in the other categories.
- Any other case the DOJ’s Civil Division deems important enough to pursue.
This list gives the government wide discretion to go after individuals for many types of conduct — even financial or paperwork-related issues that may have happened years ago.
How Denaturalization Cases Begin
Most denaturalization cases start with a referral from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the Department of Justice (DOJ). From there, the DOJ decides whether to pursue the case in civil court or criminal court — and the differences between the two are significant.
Civil Denaturalization
In a civil denaturalization case, there is no statute of limitations. This means the government can go after someone 15 or 20 years after they became a citizen if it believes they lied, concealed facts, or committed fraud during their naturalization process.
The burden of proof is also high: the government must show “clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence” that the individual’s citizenship was obtained illegally or through misrepresentation.
If a person loses their civil case, they may be stripped of citizenship and returned to their prior immigration status — or face removal if they no longer have legal status.
Criminal Denaturalization
Criminal denaturalization happens when someone is charged under 18 U.S.C. §1425 for obtaining citizenship by fraud. Unlike civil cases, criminal cases have a 10-year statute of limitations and can result in up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
However, the Supreme Court limited the government’s power to prosecute such cases in the 2017 ruling Maslenjak v. United States, deciding that only lies or misrepresentations that directly influenced the grant of citizenship can be used to strip someone of citizenship.
What Happens After Denaturalization
Once a person is denaturalized, their legal status reverts to whatever it was before they became a citizen.
- If they were a green card holder, they might return to that status.
- If they no longer have any lawful status, they could be placed in removal proceedings and potentially deported.
In some cases, individuals may choose to renounce their citizenship voluntarily instead of going through a lengthy court process.
To learn more about this topic, watch Attorney LaToya McBean Pompy’s YouTube video, “Denaturalization: 10 New Rules of Losing US Citizenship”, where she breaks down how the denaturalization process works, who the government is prioritizing under the new DOJ memo, and what naturalized citizens can do to protect their status.
Final Thoughts
Denaturalization is rare — but it is real. The fact that the government continues to expand its denaturalization priorities means that every naturalized U.S. citizen should take steps to protect their status. If you’ve ever had past immigration issues, criminal charges, or concerns about how you obtained your citizenship, don’t wait for the government to act first.
At McBean Law, we have helped countless individuals across the country face complex immigration issues — including cases involving fraud allegations, citizenship questions, and removal risks. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (914) 898-9488 to get experienced legal support for your immigration journey. Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for more resources and updates.
FAQs:
1. Can the U.S. government really take away my citizenship?
Yes. The U.S. government can revoke citizenship through a process called denaturalization if it proves that citizenship was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or certain criminal acts. However, denaturalization is rare and requires strong evidence before the government can strip someone of citizenship.
2. What are the most common reasons for denaturalization?
Most denaturalization cases involve fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process — such as lying on an application, concealing criminal history, or using false documents. The government also targets individuals involved in terrorism, war crimes, human trafficking, or major financial fraud.
3. How far back can the government look into my naturalization case?
There is no time limit for civil denaturalization cases. The government can investigate and file a case even 15 or 20 years after citizenship was granted if they discover evidence of fraud or misrepresentation. Criminal denaturalization cases, however, have a 10-year statute of limitations.
4. What happens if someone loses their U.S. citizenship?
A denaturalized person loses all the rights and benefits of U.S. citizenship — including the right to vote, travel with a U.S. passport, or remain in the country as a citizen. They may revert to their previous immigration status (like green card holder), but if they no longer have lawful status, they can be placed in removal proceedings.
5. What should I do if I’m worried about losing my citizenship?
If you have any concerns about your immigration history or how you obtained your citizenship, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced immigration attorney. McBean Law can review your case, assess your risks, and help you understand your options for protecting your citizenship and your freedom.
