US Moves to Strip Citizenship From 12 in Naturalization Fraud Cases

What happened: 12 denaturalization cases filed

On May 14, 2026, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it partnered with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file denaturalization actions — legal cases to take away someone's citizenship — against 12 people in federal courts across the country. The individuals came from Iraq, Colombia, Morocco, Somalia, Gambia, Bolivia, Uzbekistan, Kenya, India, China, Nigeria, and Colombia.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (the main US immigration law), the government can revoke a naturalized citizen's citizenship if that person got it illegally, or by hiding important facts, or by lying on purpose. That is exactly what USCIS and DOJ say these 12 people did. The accusations include: providing money to Al-Qaida, participating in executions without a trial, sexually abusing a child, trafficking firearms, committing investment fraud, using a fake identity, and spying for Cuba. In each case, the government says the person lied or hid key information during the naturalization process — the steps required to become a US citizen.

Some examples stand out. Ali Yousif Ahmed Al-Nouri, originally from Iraq, is accused of being an Al-Qaida leader who murdered two police officers in 2006, then entered the US in 2009 claiming his family was attacked by Al-Qaida. He naturalized in 2015. Victor Manuel Rocha, originally from Colombia, was convicted of acting as an unregistered agent for Cuba. The government says he began spying for Cuba in 1973 — five years before he naturalized in 1978. Baboucarr Mboob, from Gambia, admitted before a truth commission in 2019 that he participated in the execution of six fellow soldiers in 1994. He naturalized in 2011 without disclosing this. USCIS noted that all claims in the complaints are allegations only, and no court has yet found any of these individuals liable.

What this means for the naturalization process

These cases are a reminder that the naturalization process requires full honesty. When you apply for US citizenship using Form N-400 (the application for naturalization), you must answer questions about your criminal history, your moral character, and your loyalty to the US Constitution. Lying on that form — or hiding important facts — can lead to denaturalization years or even decades later. The government can use criminal convictions, testimony before foreign commissions, and guilty pleas as evidence in these civil court cases.

What to do

• If you are currently going through the naturalization process, answer every question on Form N-400 honestly. Hiding a past arrest, conviction, or serious act — even one from another country — can be used against you later.
• If you have a complicated immigration or criminal history, lawyers recommend speaking with an immigration attorney before you file Form N-400. An attorney can help you understand what you must disclose.
• If you are already a naturalized citizen and you are worried about something you did not disclose, in these situations people usually consult an immigration lawyer right away — before any government action begins.
• To report suspected immigration benefit fraud, you can use the USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov.