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The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that it is pursuing denaturalization proceedings against a dozen individuals across the United States, alleging they fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship by concealing criminal histories or providing false information during the naturalization process.
Federal prosecutors have filed civil actions in U.S. District Courts nationwide this week targeting 12 people accused of lying about prior conduct, including serious criminal activity. According to the DOJ, the individuals—ranging in age from 28 to 75—are alleged to have hidden offenses such as providing material support to a terrorist organization, committing war crimes, and sexual abuse of a minor.
The cases span multiple regions and backgrounds. The DOJ said the group includes five natives of African countries, three from Asia, and two from South America. Officials allege that each failed to disclose disqualifying information that would have affected their eligibility for citizenship.
Among the most prominent figures is former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Victor Manuel Rocha, a native of Colombia. Rocha is currently serving a 15-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to acting as a covert spy for the Cuban government while holding a senior diplomatic position in the United States. His case has become a central example in the government’s argument that some individuals obtained citizenship through deliberate deception.
The Trump administration has framed the effort as part of a broader initiative to tighten enforcement of immigration and naturalization laws. Officials argue that individuals who concealed material facts should not have been granted citizenship in the first place and therefore should lose it through legal proceedings.
“The Trump administration is taking action to correct these egregious violations of our immigration system,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “Those who intentionally concealed their criminal histories or misrepresented themselves during the naturalization process will face the fullest extent of the law.”
The DOJ’s actions reflect a broader internal push to prioritize denaturalization cases. A June memo to civil division employees directed them to “maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings,” identifying categories of individuals to be prioritized, including those considered national security risks and those facing pending criminal charges. Later, the Department of Homeland Security was instructed in December to generate up to 200 referrals for possible denaturalization review.
Denaturalization cases are rare and must be pursued in federal court, unlike many other immigration matters handled administratively. Government attorneys face a high evidentiary threshold. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, civil denaturalization requires “clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence which does not leave the issue in doubt.”
Historically, such proceedings have been uncommon. Research indicates that between 1990 and 2017, the federal government opened an average of 11 denaturalization cases per year. That figure rose modestly during the first Trump administration, averaging about 25 cases annually.
The latest wave of filings signals an expansion of federal efforts to revisit past naturalization decisions where fraud is alleged. While supporters argue the process ensures integrity in the immigration system, critics have historically warned that aggressive denaturalization efforts can raise due process concerns and create uncertainty for naturalized citizens.
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