Trump Administration Launches Broad Denaturalization Crackdown
Washington — The Trump administration has launched what the Justice Department describes as the largest denaturalization effort in modern U.S. history, seeking to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalized Americans accused of offenses ranging from immigration fraud and concealed crimes to espionage and acting on behalf of a foreign government.
The Justice Department said the denaturalization complaints were filed in federal courts across the United States between August 21 and October 2.
The cases represent the largest number of denaturalization complaints filed during a single period under the Trump administration, according to the department.
“Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
“From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the U.S. government and represent serious criminal offenders. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice will continue to employ the denaturalization process to maintain our national security and protect the American people.”
The 40 defendants come from a range of countries, with allegations including immigration and identity fraud, fraudulent marriages, concealed criminal conduct, tax fraud and offenses involving minors.
Several cases involve national security allegations.
The Justice Department is seeking to revoke the citizenship of Jinchao Wei, a China-born former U.S. Navy sailor convicted of espionage-related offenses.
According to the department, Wei enlisted in the Navy in 2021 and began conspiring by February 2022 to sell military secrets to China. He became a U.S. citizen in May 2022 under provisions intended to expedite naturalization for people serving honorably in the U.S. armed forces.
Wei was convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage and unlawful export of technical data related to defense articles. He was sentenced to 200 months in prison and discharged from the Navy.
The department also cited a case involving an individual identified as Li, who it said worked at the direction of officers from China’s Ministry of State Security to obtain information about Chinese dissidents, pro-democracy advocates, Falun Gong members and U.S.-based organizations.
Other complaints allege that individuals concealed crimes committed before becoming citizens or used false identities, fraudulent marriages or misleading immigration histories to obtain permanent residence and citizenship.
“Every single one of these individuals lied their way into U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
“This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalization effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in U.S. citizenship. Our message is clear: the United States will not tolerate deception in the naturalization process.”
The complaints are civil denaturalization actions, and the allegations in them must still be adjudicated by federal courts before citizenship can be revoked. (Source: IANS)
