The Trump administration plans to increase efforts to revoke citizenship from some naturalized Americans. According to a senior Justice Department official, the department aims to file at least 250 denaturalization cases by October.

The Justice Department has already filed 29 cases in less than two months this year. Officials accuse the individuals involved of obtaining U.S. citizenship through fraud or other violations during the naturalization process. This pace exceeds previous years. Records show that from 2008 through June 2026, federal authorities filed 166 denaturalization complaints in total.

Federal law allows the government to seek denaturalization when a person provides false information during the citizenship process or obtains citizenship illegally. The law does not apply to people who received citizenship through birth in the United States.

The administration has directed additional resources toward these efforts. The denaturalization unit includes 12 attorneys, but the Justice Department has also assigned lawyers from other civil divisions to help manage the workload. U.S. attorney offices around the country may also handle cases.

A 2025 Justice Department memo outlined priority categories. These include individuals linked to national security threats, war crimes, terrorism, serious fraud and undisclosed criminal convictions. Officials say the focus remains on people who committed significant violations rather than minor offenses.

Justice Department representatives argue that the effort protects the integrity of the citizenship process. They say the government is targeting individuals who obtained citizenship unlawfully or concealed serious criminal conduct.

Critics, however, warn that denaturalization cases can be complex and time-consuming. Some legal experts have expressed concern about the administration’s increased emphasis on the process. Others note that the cases filed so far generally fall within categories that previous administrations have also pursued.

If a court approves a denaturalization case, the individual usually returns to the immigration status held before becoming a U.S. citizen. In some situations, that person may also face deportation proceedings.

The administration maintains that the initiative focuses on serious cases involving fraud, criminal activity or national security concerns. Officials say they plan to continue expanding enforcement efforts in the coming months.