How Tax Issues Can Impact Your Immigration Status
August 14, 2025
For millions of naturalized U.S. citizens, the process of obtaining citizenship is a long and challenging journey. But what if that citizenship could be taken away, even years after it was granted? This is the unsettling question many are now facing as the Department of Justice (DOJ) has made denaturalization a top civil enforcement priority.
While denaturalization was historically reserved for serious offenses like war crimes, the new focus includes a surprising new frontier: financial crimes, particularly those related to the IRS and tax violations.
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 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 served at the highest levels of government—including roles with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Congress, and federal and state courts.
The Expansion of Denaturalization
Denaturalization is the process by which a person’s U.S. citizenship is revoked. While it can occur for several reasons, the primary grounds are:
- Procurement of naturalization illegally: This involves obtaining citizenship through fraudulent means.
- Willful misrepresentation of a material fact: Lying about or failing to disclose important information during the naturalization process.
The DOJ’s new civil enforcement priorities explicitly target financial fraud against the United States, including tax violations. This is a significant shift from previous policies and raises serious concerns for the nearly 25 million naturalized citizens in the country.
The Connection Between Your Taxes and Your Citizenship
So, how exactly do your taxes come into play? The issue lies in the naturalization application, specifically Form N-400. Part 9, Question 15a of the form asks: “Have you ever committed, agreed to commit, ask someone else to commit, helped commit, or try to commit a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?”
If a person under-reported their income or made another tax error before becoming a citizen and answered “no” to this question, they could now be vulnerable to denaturalization. The government could argue that this tax violation was a crime or offense that was not disclosed during the naturalization process. Since there is no statute of limitations on civil denaturalization proceedings, this puts naturalized citizens in a position of “lifetime jeopardy” for any pre-citizenship conduct.
The Role of the IRS
The government’s ability to pursue these cases hinges on access to data. There is an increasing demand by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for IRS data, which could be used to cross-reference an individual’s tax history with their naturalization application.
While the IRS has strict privacy rules, this push for data sharing is a key component of the new enforcement strategy. The government is looking for ways to identify individuals who may have made financial mistakes before their naturalization and could be subject to denaturalization.
You can watch Attorney LaToya McBean Pompy’s in-depth YouTube video, “The Latest Denaturalization Trap: Tax Mistakes and Financial Crimes (Unscripted),” where she explains the government’s new enforcement priorities, the link between IRS records and denaturalization cases, and provides practical guidance for anyone concerned about their naturalization history or past tax filings.
Final Thoughts
This new focus on tax violations and denaturalization has profound implications. While the thought of the government going through the records of 25 million people is daunting, it’s important to be aware of the risks. This is not a reason to panic, but a call to be informed.
If you have any concerns about your naturalization or past financial conduct, it is crucial to seek legal counsel immediately. An experienced immigration attorney can help you understand your situation and provide guidance on how to navigate these complex issues. At McBean Law, we specialize in helping families navigate these kinds of issues. We’ve helped countless couples across the U.S. and around the world get back on track and reunite in America. Schedule a consultation with us by calling (914) 898-9488. Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for more resources and updates.
FAQs:
1. Can the U.S. government take away my citizenship because of tax issues?
Yes. Under the Department of Justice’s new priorities, financial crimes — including serious tax violations — can be grounds for denaturalization if they involve fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process.
2. What if I made a tax mistake before becoming a citizen?
If you under-reported income or committed another tax-related offense before naturalization and failed to disclose it on your Form N-400, the government could argue that you obtained citizenship illegally or by misrepresentation.
3. Is there a time limit for denaturalization cases?
No. There is no statute of limitations for civil denaturalization, meaning the government can pursue your case decades after you became a citizen.
4. How does the IRS play a role in denaturalization?
The Department of Homeland Security is increasingly seeking IRS data to identify discrepancies between tax records and naturalization applications. While IRS privacy rules exist, data-sharing pressures are growing.
5. What should I do if I’m worried about my tax history and citizenship?
Consult an experienced immigration attorney immediately. They can review your situation, address potential vulnerabilities, and help protect your rights.
