USCIS Files to Strip Citizenship From 17 Naturalized Americans
USCIS and the Department of Justice filed denaturalization cases against 17 naturalized U.S. citizens, accusing them of lying during the citizenship process — about criminal histories, fake identities, and fraudulent marriages. If federal courts rule against them, each person could lose their citizenship entirely. The cases, filed across more than a dozen federal districts in recent months, signal that USCIS is actively reviewing past naturalization records for fraud.
What if you lied on your naturalization application years ago — and the government just found out? That is exactly the situation facing 17 people across the United States right now. USCIS, working with the Department of Justice, filed denaturalization cases against all 17 within the past couple of months. If courts agree, each person could lose their U.S. citizenship.
What Is Denaturalization — and Why Does It Matter?
Denaturalization is the legal process of revoking someone's U.S. citizenship. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government can cancel a naturalized citizen's certificate if that citizenship was obtained illegally — through fraud, lies, or hiding important facts. The 17 cases filed cover a wide range of alleged misconduct: using fake identities, hiding criminal convictions, committing marriage fraud, and lying under oath during citizenship interviews. Cases were filed in federal courts from California to Georgia to New York.
US Citizenship Checklist — Free
Naturalization: from N-400 to the Oath
The alleged lies varied, but the pattern was the same. Several people are accused of concealing serious crimes they committed before naturalizing — crimes that would have disqualified them from citizenship. For example, a case filed in the Central District of California targets Ramiro Escot Esparza, who allegedly hid multiple acts of sexual misconduct against a minor on his N-400 (Application for Naturalization) and during his 2009 citizenship interview. Another case, filed in the Middle District of Georgia, targets Javier Marrero-Pando, who allegedly lied under oath at his October 2020 naturalization interview — saying he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested — while having already committed aggravated sodomy against a special-needs man in May 2020. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 15 years suspended. Other cases involve dual-identity schemes spanning decades: Ahmad Bahar Khattak, named in a complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia, allegedly used two separate identities over many years to evade deportation and collect immigration benefits before naturalizing.
What Happens to Someone Who Loses Citizenship?
Losing citizenship through denaturalization does not automatically mean immediate deportation — but it can lead there. Once citizenship is revoked, a person typically reverts to their prior immigration status, which in many of these cases was unlawful. That can trigger removal proceedings. These are civil cases, not criminal charges for the denaturalization itself, though some individuals already face or have faced separate criminal convictions.
What to Do
- If you are going through the naturalization process now, answer every question on Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) honestly — including questions about past criminal history, aliases, and prior immigration violations. Omissions count as fraud.
- If you already naturalized and are worried about something you did not disclose, speak with an immigration attorney before USCIS contacts you. Attorney-client privilege protects that conversation.
- If you receive any court notice or government letter about your citizenship status, do not ignore it. Missing a court date can result in a default judgment against you.
- Check that all names, identities, and documents you used throughout your immigration history are consistent and disclosed. Dual-identity cases are a specific enforcement focus right now.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “The Path to U.S. Citizenship”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
These cases show that USCIS can and does revisit naturalization decisions years — even decades — after the fact. If a client concealed a criminal conviction, used an alias, or provided false testimony during their naturalization interview, they face real denaturalization risk even if they have been citizens for many years. Anyone in that situation should consult an immigration attorney before USCIS initiates contact, because proactive legal strategy is far more effective than responding to a complaint already filed in federal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the U.S. government take away citizenship after you have already been naturalized?
Yes. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, federal courts can revoke naturalized citizenship if it was obtained through fraud, lies, or by hiding important facts — even many years after the naturalization ceremony.
If someone loses citizenship through denaturalization, are they automatically deported?
Not automatically, but it is a real risk. Once citizenship is revoked, the person typically loses their lawful status and may face removal proceedings. The outcome depends on their prior immigration history and whether they qualify for any other legal status.
What kinds of lies can lead to denaturalization?
Common grounds include hiding criminal convictions, using a fake identity or alias, committing marriage fraud, lying under oath during a citizenship interview, or concealing prior deportation orders. Even crimes committed before naturalizing — but not disclosed — can be grounds for denaturalization.
Does a denaturalization case mean the person is guilty?
No. A filed complaint or case is an accusation, not a verdict. The government must prove its case in federal court. Some of the 17 individuals named by USCIS face complaints, not yet final judgments.