Can You Lose Your U.S. Citizenship?

Can You Lose Your U.S. Citizenship? What Naturalized Citizens Need to Know in 2026   

Denaturalization, the legal process by which the U.S. government can revoke a person’s citizenship, continues to come up in news headlines. While this process remains uncommon, it has become a greater focus of federal immigration enforcement. Since the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published their June 2025 memo, they have continued expanding denaturalization efforts throughout 2026 by filing new civil lawsuits against people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealment of material facts. 

Becoming a U.S. citizen can be one of the proudest moments in an immigrant’s life, and it can be scary to imagine all that hard work being taken away. For most naturalized U.S. citizens who lawfully obtained citizenship, these denaturalization developments should not cause panic. However, understanding when federal officials can legally revoke citizenship is more important than ever. 

What Is Denaturalization?  

Denaturalization is a process the U.S. government may use to revoke the citizenship of a naturalized citizen. It does not apply to people born as U.S. citizens except under extremely limited constitutional circumstances. 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.  

Why Denaturalization Is Back in the News 

Denaturalization has received increased attention in 2026 because the DOJ has expanded its enforcement efforts against certain naturalized citizens. Building on the June 2025 memorandum, the DOJ has announced several rounds of civil lawsuits this year involving people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud, hiding important information during the naturalization process, or committing serious crimes that made them ineligible for citizenship. 

In May 2026, the DOJ announced denaturalization actions against 12 individuals. In June, it filed another 17 cases, and in July, it announced 10 additional lawsuits. According to the DOJ, these cases involve allegations such as immigration fraud, identity fraud, human rights violations, financial fraud, child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, and other serious criminal conduct that the government claims wasconcealed during the naturalization process. 

This news has understandably raised questions among naturalized U.S. citizens about whether their citizenship could be at risk. It is important to understand what these announcements do—and do not—mean. A DOJ announcement does not automatically result in the loss of U.S. citizenship. In every case, the government must bring its claims before a federal court and prove that citizenship was illegally obtained or secured through willful misrepresentation. Individuals facing denaturalization can challenge the allegations through the legal process. 

The 2025 DOJ Memo: Who Is Targeted for Denaturalization 

The June 11, 2025 DOJ memo lays out 10 categories of individuals the government is prioritizing for denaturalization: 

The priority groups include naturalized citizens who:

1. Pose a danger to national security (terrorism or espionage).  
2. Committed torture, war crimes, or other human rights violations.  
3. Were involved with criminal gangs, drug cartels, or transnational criminal organizations.  
4. Committed serious felonies that were not disclosed during the naturalization process.  
5. Engaged in human trafficking, sex offenses, or violent crimes. 
6. Committed financial fraud against the U.S., including Medicare, Medicaid, or PPP loan fraud.  
7. Engaged in private financial fraud schemes.  
8. Obtained citizenship through corruption, fraud, or misrepresentation.  
9. Have pending criminal charges not covered in the other categories.  
10. Any other case the DOJ’s Civil Division deems important enough to pursue. 

Most recent DOJ announcements involve allegations of immigration fraud, identity fraud, or serious criminal conduct that predated naturalization, rather than minor paperwork mistakes.  

Grounds for Revoking U.S. Citizenship 

The U.S. government cannot revoke citizenship simply because a person is arrested, convicted of a crime after becoming a citizen, or has unpopular views. The DOJ has to prove that citizenship was obtained unlawfully or through fraud or willful misrepresentation during the naturalization process. 

Common grounds for revoking U.S. citizenship include: 

• Obtaining citizenship through fraud or the concealment of material facts 

• Using a false identity or fraudulent documents during the immigration or naturalization process 

• Failing to disclose criminal conduct or other information that would have affected eligibility for citizenship 

• Illegal procurement of naturalization, such as not meeting the legal requirements at the time citizenship was granted 

• Certain cases involving national security, terrorism, war crimes, or human rights violations 

Not every error on an application is grounds for denaturalization. The government must show that the false statement or omitted information was material to the decision to grant citizenship. This standard was reinforced by the U.S. Supreme Court in Maslenjak v. United States, which held that a misstatement alone is not enough to revoke a person’s citizenship. 

How Denaturalization Cases Begin

Most cases start with a referral from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the DOJ. From there, the DOJ decides whether to pursue the case in civil court or criminal court, which have significant differences.  

Civil Denaturalization  

In a civil case, there is no statute of limitations. This means the government can go after someone decades after they became a citizen if it believes they lied, concealed facts, or committed fraud during their naturalization process. Civil actions also have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, only requiring a preponderance of the evidence.  

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. These criminal cases require the prosecution to prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” in order to move forward. 

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.  

Should Naturalized Citizens Be Worried?

The recent increase in lawsuits does not mean that the government is broadly attempting to revoke citizenship from people who completed the naturalization process. While the DOJ has increased their enforcement actions in 2026, denaturalization remains a legal process that requires them to present evidence in federal court before citizenship can be revoked. 

If you became a U.S. citizen after honestly disclosing your immigration and criminal history, these developments should not be a cause for alarm. However, if you have questions about information included in your immigration or naturalization applications, or you are concerned about issues from your past that may affect your citizenship, it is wise to speak with an experienced immigration attorney. Reviewing your case now can help you better understand your rights and address potential concerns before they become legal problems. 

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 process works, which immigrants are prioritized under the new DOJ memo, and what naturalized citizens can do to protect their status. 

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Final Thoughts

Denaturalization is rare, but it is real. While most naturalized citizens have no reason to fear losing their citizenship, anyone with concerns about their immigration history should understand their rights and seek legal guidance before problems arise. 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 thousands of individuals and their families navigate complex immigration issues, including cases involving fraud allegations, citizenship questions, and removal risks. Schedule a consultation with us to review your naturalization history, assess any potential risks, and understand your legal options.  

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FAQs

How far back can the government look into my naturalization case? 

It depends on whether they pursue a civil or criminal 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.  

Does Every Criminal Conviction Lead to Denaturalization? 

No. A criminal conviction does not automatically result in the loss of U.S. citizenship. Crimes committed after naturalization generally do not, by themselves, provide grounds for denaturalization. However, if a criminal offense occurred before citizenship was granted and was not disclosed when required, it could become part of a case. 

Can USCIS Reopen My Citizenship Case? 

Yes. USCIS may review a naturalization case if it discovers information suggesting that citizenship was obtained unlawfully or through fraud or material misrepresentation. In some situations, USCIS refers the case to the DOJ, which decides whether to pursue charges in federal court. USCIS cannot revoke citizenship on its own. The government must follow the legal process, and a federal court ultimately decideswhether denaturalization is appropriate.