17 Naturalized Citizens Face Denaturalization in 2026
Can the US government take away your citizenship after you already have it? Yes — and in June 2026, it did exactly that to 17 people. USCIS and the Department of Justice filed denaturalization lawsuits in federal courts across the country, targeting naturalized citizens accused of hiding serious crimes during their naturalization process.
What happened
What if you lied on your naturalization application — even years ago? That question is no longer hypothetical for 17 people. USCIS and the DOJ filed denaturalization actions in multiple US district courts in June 2026. The cases involve people from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Mexico, India, Somalia, the Philippines, and other countries. The alleged crimes include sexual abuse of minors, health care fraud, drug distribution, securities fraud, and identity fraud.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (the main federal law governing immigration and citizenship), the government can revoke naturalized citizenship if it was obtained illegally — or by hiding a material fact or making a willful misrepresentation. In plain terms: if you lied on your N-400 (the application for US citizenship) or during your naturalization interview, the government can go to court to strip that citizenship. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated that people who "break our laws and lie in immigration proceedings forfeit that privilege."
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The cases show a clear pattern. In nearly every filing, the person told USCIS during the naturalization process that they had never committed a crime for which they had not been arrested — and that statement was false. For example, Neeraj Sharma, a New Jersey staffing company owner originally from India, filed 11 fraudulent H-1B visa petitions with forged signatures before naturalizing in December 2017. He was later convicted of visa fraud. Tahir Lekaj, originally from Yugoslavia, sexually abused a child in January 2003 — before he naturalized in May 2005 — but claimed on his application that he had no undisclosed crimes. A Connecticut jury convicted him of those offenses in 2022. In several other cases, people used false identities or concealed bigamous marriages to first obtain a green card, then citizenship.
Why this matters for you
If you are going through the naturalization process now — or plan to apply — these cases are a direct warning. USCIS cross-checks fingerprints, criminal records, and immigration history. The agency has digitized old paper fingerprint cards, which is how it caught Louise Hunkporti, who used a false identity after being denied an immigration benefit in 1995 and naturalized under that false identity in 2010. Gaps in your record do not disappear. They surface later — sometimes decades later.
What to do
- If you have any criminal history — arrests, convictions, guilty pleas, or deferred adjudications — disclose them to an immigration attorney before filing Form N-400 (the naturalization application). Some offenses bar naturalization; others do not. An attorney can tell you which category you fall into.
- If you already naturalized and have a criminal conviction you did not disclose, speak with an immigration lawyer immediately. Do not wait for a government notice. Lawyers recommend acting before a case is filed, not after.
- If you used a different name or identity at any point in your immigration history, disclose that history fully and accurately on all forms. USCIS fingerprint matching can link old records to new applications.
- If you are still in the naturalization process and have concerns about past statements you made, consult an attorney about whether you can correct the record before your case is decided.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “The Path to U.S. Citizenship”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Denaturalization cases hinge on what you said — or didn't say — during your naturalization interview and on your N-400. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, even a conviction that occurred before you naturalized can be grounds to revoke citizenship if you concealed it. If you have any undisclosed criminal history and are still in proceedings, you may be able to withdraw your application or amend your answers before USCIS makes a decision — but that window closes once citizenship is granted. Consult an immigration attorney who handles naturalization and criminal immigration law before taking any action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the US government take away citizenship after it has already been granted?
Yes. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a court can revoke naturalized citizenship if it was obtained illegally or by hiding a material fact. The government must file a civil lawsuit in federal court to do this — it does not happen automatically.
What counts as a 'material fact' that must be disclosed on a naturalization application?
A material fact is any information that could have affected USCIS's decision to approve or deny your application. Criminal history — including arrests, convictions, and guilty pleas — is always considered material. So is using a false identity, hiding a prior marriage, or submitting false documents at any point in your immigration history.
If I was convicted of a crime after I naturalized, can I still lose my citizenship?
It depends. If the crime happened before or during your naturalization proceedings and you did not disclose it, the government can argue you obtained citizenship by concealment. If the crime happened entirely after you naturalized and you made no false statements during the process, denaturalization is generally not the government's tool — though other consequences, like criminal prosecution, may apply.
Does an expunged conviction need to be disclosed on Form N-400?
This is one of the most common mistakes applicants make. Federal immigration law does not always recognize state expungements. In many cases, USCIS still requires you to disclose an expunged conviction. Lawyers strongly recommend disclosing and letting an attorney advise you on how to present it — rather than omitting it and risking a finding of misrepresentation.