DOJ Files 25 Denaturalization Cases: Naturalization Process at Risk
The US government just filed its largest single wave of denaturalization cases ever — 25 complaints in two weeks. The people named range from a man who hid a deportation order under a false name to a woman convicted of selling child sexual abuse material. For anyone who has ever been less than fully honest on a citizenship application, this signals a new level of scrutiny.
What if you lied on your naturalization application years ago — and the government is only now finding out? That is exactly the situation facing 25 people named in new federal complaints filed between July 20 and August 3, 2026. The Department of Justice, working with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the cases on August 11, 2026. This is the largest single batch of denaturalization actions in recorded history.
123 Cases Since January 2025 — and Counting
Since January 20, 2025, the DOJ has filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints — more than any previous administration. The 25 newest cases involve people from Pakistan, Moldova, India, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Jamaica, Taiwan, Honduras, Cameroon, and Jordan. The alleged violations fall into two main categories: fraud during the naturalization process (hiding a prior identity, a removal order, or a criminal conviction) and serious crimes committed before naturalization that were never disclosed. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) — the federal law that governs immigration — citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained illegally or through lies and hidden facts.
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Naturalization: from N-400 to the Oath
Several cases involve people who entered the US under false names after being ordered deported, then built new identities and naturalized. For example, Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan of Nigeria had already been ordered deported under a different name before he naturalized in Massachusetts. Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, also of Nigeria, was later convicted of passport fraud after fingerprint checks revealed her true identity. Other cases center on violent or sexual crimes committed before naturalization that applicants hid during their interviews. Emigdio Sanchez of Mexico pleaded guilty to beating his wife just weeks before his naturalization interview in September 1998 — and then told the interviewing officer he had never been arrested. Jose Luis Martinez-Zavala of Mexico naturalized in 2014 after concealing a 2010 aggravated sexual assault of a child; he was convicted of that offense in 2020.
What Denaturalization Actually Means
A denaturalization complaint is a civil lawsuit — not an automatic loss of citizenship. The government must prove its case in federal court. If a court grants the complaint, the person loses their US citizenship and becomes subject to removal proceedings (deportation). That means they could be placed in immigration court and ordered to leave the country. The process can take years, but the consequences are permanent.
What to do
- If you are a naturalized citizen and you disclosed everything honestly on your N-400 (the application for US citizenship) and during your interview, these cases do not affect you. Your citizenship is secure.
- If you are currently going through the naturalization process, answer every question on Form N-400 truthfully — including questions about prior names, prior arrests, and any time you were ordered removed. Hiding this information is the most common reason for denaturalization.
- If you have a prior criminal conviction or a past immigration violation and you are considering applying for citizenship, speak with an immigration lawyer before you file. A lawyer can tell you whether that history makes you ineligible and how to disclose it correctly.
- If you received a notice that a denaturalization complaint has been filed against you, contact an immigration attorney immediately. You have the right to contest the complaint in federal court, and the outcome is not decided until a judge rules.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “The Path to U.S. Citizenship”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
These cases make clear that USCIS and DOJ are cross-referencing fingerprint databases, criminal records, and prior immigration files going back decades. If a client naturalized while concealing a prior removal order or a criminal conviction — even one from the 1990s — they are potentially exposed. Anyone in that situation should consult an immigration attorney now to understand their options, because once a federal complaint is filed, the window for any voluntary resolution closes quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the government take away my US citizenship?
Yes, but only through a civil lawsuit in federal court — a process called denaturalization. The government must prove that your citizenship was obtained illegally or through fraud. If a judge agrees, you lose your citizenship and can be placed in removal proceedings (deportation). If you obtained citizenship honestly, you are not at risk.
What kinds of lies can lead to denaturalization?
The most common ones are: hiding a prior name or identity, hiding a prior removal or deportation order, hiding a criminal conviction or arrest, and lying about marital status or prior marriages. Even old lies — from the 1990s or early 2000s — can be the basis for a case today.
I made a mistake on my naturalization application years ago. What should I do?
Do not ignore it. Immigration lawyers recommend speaking with an attorney to understand your specific risk. The government is actively reviewing old files. What you do next depends on what the mistake was and whether it affected your eligibility — only a lawyer can assess that for your situation.
If I receive a denaturalization complaint, do I automatically lose my citizenship?
No. A complaint is the start of a federal court case, not the end. You have the right to contest it, present evidence, and have a judge decide. The process can take years. You should hire an immigration attorney as soon as you receive any court documents.