Denaturalization Risk: Why Now Is Still a Good Time to Naturalize

Denaturalization is the legal process of taking away U.S. citizenship from someone who obtained it through naturalization. It is not a new tool. Historically, the government has used it sparingly.

Between 1990 and 2017, the government pursued an average of only about 11 denaturalization cases per year. That figure comes from a July 2026 practice advisory by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and the National Immigration Project. More recent data points the same way. Between 2008 and June 2026, the Department of Justice filed 166 denaturalization complaints. That is fewer than 10 per year.

The grounds are narrow. Under Section 340(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government must show that citizenship was illegally procured, or gained by concealing a material fact. In plain terms, denaturalization targets people who were never eligible or who hid something serious, such as a major crime or a fake identity. A long-standing Department of Justice policy dates back to a 1909 circular. It states that these proceedings should not correct honest errors or paperwork mistakes. For the typical naturalized citizen, that keeps the denaturalization risk very small.

Only a federal court can strip someone of naturalized citizenship. In 2001, courts permanently blocked the government from taking citizenship without a judge. A federal judge must now decide every case.

The government also carries a heavy burden of proof. In these cases, the Department of Justice must prove its claim by "clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence." That is a much higher bar than the test used in most civil lawsuits. The U.S. Supreme Court has long treated citizenship as a precious right, not something to lose lightly.

These protections matter for someone who disclosed their history truthfully and met the citizenship requirements. The process is built to reach people who committed fraud. It is not built to punish people who made an honest application.

The cases making headlines fit the historical pattern. On May 8, 2026, the Department of Justice announced actions to denaturalize 12 individuals. Each one had allegedly concealed serious conduct, such as support for terrorism, war crimes, espionage, or the sexual abuse of a minor. These are exactly the kinds of egregious cases denaturalization has always addressed.

The Trump administration has said it wants to do more. It has directed USCIS to refer up to 200 cases per month to the Department of Justice. It has also signaled plans to file hundreds of new cases. Whether the government can reach those numbers is unclear. Each case is slow and costly to prove in federal court.

The announcements are also highly publicized. That coverage can make the risk feel larger than the numbers show. The July 2026 practice advisory notes that this attention may have a "chilling effect." It can discourage eligible permanent residents from applying. For honest applicants, though, the real denaturalization risk has not meaningfully changed.

Becoming a citizen gives you protections that a green card does not. Citizens cannot lose status by traveling, can vote, can carry a U.S. passport, and can sponsor more family members. You can review these on our benefits of U.S. citizenship guide.

There is also a financial reason to act. On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security proposed raising the Form N-400 filing fee. For paper filings, it would rise from $760 to $1,330. Online filings would rise from $710 to $1,280. The proposal would also end the reduced fee and the fee waiver for low-income applicants. The public comment period runs through August 24, 2026, so the change is not yet final. It could take effect later in the year.

If you are eligible, applying now lets you file at today's lower fee. You also lock in the security of citizenship. You can learn more about the current cost on our Form N-400 filing fee page. Our guide on citizenship through naturalization provides a complete overview of the full path.

Denaturalization is real, but it is rare, and it targets fraud, not honest applicants. If you are a permanent resident who meets the requirements, the strongest move is to apply now with a complete, accurate application. That is where CitizenPath helps. Our Naturalization Application Package guides you through Form N-400 one question at a time. It checks your answers for common mistakes and helps you file with confidence.

Start your N-400 Application with CitizenPath — our step-by-step process helps you avoid mistakes and delays →