In the first two months of this year alone, the Department of Justice has already filed 29 cases accusing foreign-born citizens of fraudulently obtaining US citizenship. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File) The Trump administration is significantly increasing its push to strip citizenship from naturalized Americans, planning to bring at least 250 denaturalization cases by October, according to a senior Justice Department official, CNN reports. In the first two months of this year alone, the Department of Justice has already filed 29 cases accusing foreign-born citizens of fraudulently obtaining US citizenship. Officials say civil litigators are now reviewing additional cases, accelerating a process that has already surpassed previous years’ totals. Between 2008 and mid-2026, 166 denaturalization cases were filed in total, averaging fewer than 10 per year, according to data cited from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. The current pace marks a sharp increase, driven by what officials describe as a broader effort to prioritize immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. Behind the scenes, DOJ resources are being redirected from other civil enforcement areas, including fraud investigations, to support the denaturalization effort. Additional cases are also being referred to US attorney offices nationwide, which are already facing heavy workloads. A senior Justice Department official told CNN that the initiative is aimed at protecting the integrity of US citizenship. The government maintains that denaturalization cases target individuals who either lied during the naturalization process or were not legally eligible for citizenship. Cases filed so far reportedly include allegations involving fraud, sexual abuse of a minor, and in some instances, support for terrorism expressed before or during the naturalization process. Under federal law, citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained through material misrepresentation or illegally procured eligibility. Such cases proceed through federal courts and can be handled as civil or criminal matters depending on circumstances. Denaturalization does not apply to US citizens by birth. However, legal debates continue over related immigration policies, including attempts to challenge birthright citizenship, which are currently under Supreme Court review. Officials say the Justice Department’s denaturalization unit is small but active, handling a backlog of cases and receiving new referrals from the Department of Homeland Security. To expand capacity, attorneys from other civil divisions are being reassigned to assist with filings. A June 2025 DOJ memo outlined priority categories for cases, including national security threats, war crimes, fraud, and undisclosed criminal activity during the citizenship process. Officials emphasized that the list is a guideline rather than a limitation on potential cases. Historically, denaturalization has been rare and typically reserved for serious crimes such as terrorism or war crimes. During the Biden administration, 24 cases were filed over four years, compared with a much higher volume now under the Trump administration. Legal experts note that while the government has authority to pursue such cases, they are complex and resource-intensive. Some warn that the increased pace could strain courts and agencies, even as officials argue the effort is necessary to ensure citizenship is lawfully obtained. If successful, denaturalized individuals would revert to their previous immigration status and could potentially face deportation depending on their circumstances, CNN reports. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.