The White House is increasingly talking about "denaturalization": Who could have their US citizenship revoked?

U.S. citizenship is considered permanent, but it isn't. Amid Donald Trump's new promises to tighten immigration laws, denaturalization policies—judicial processes that can lead to the revocation of citizenship, especially for naturalized immigrants—are gaining momentum.

Since January 2025With Trump back in office, his team has reactivated plans to review thousands of naturalization cases and pursue potential fraud. “We started a new denaturalization project under Trump. In 2025 "He will be more than ready," warned Stephen Miller, current White House advisor, on the X network (formerly Twitter).

Who can lose citizenship?

Only naturalized citizens can be stripped of their status under certain legal conditions. People born in the United States retain their citizenship permanently unless they voluntarily renounce it before the Department of State.

The law allows for denaturalization proceedings to be initiated if the person lied during their application, presented false documents, concealed a criminal record, or was found guilty of crimes against national security such as treason, terrorism, or espionage.

It also applies to those who obtained citizenship through wartime military service and then received a dishonorable discharge within five years. These provisions are contained in Title 8 and Title 18 of the United States Code.

Trump promises more action, and fears of further revocations

During his first term, Trump had already greenlit the creation of a Denaturalization Section within the Department of Justice (DOJ). By 2020, that office was already processing hundreds of cases annually, compared to 11 per year in previous decades.

With his return to power, Trump has intensified his rhetoric. He has promised not only to revoke fraudulently acquired citizenships but also to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, a proposal that raises constitutional tensions.

In Congress, some allies of the former president have even suggested reviewing automatic birthright citizenship in the United States, protected by the 14th Amendment. Although this would require a constitutional amendment or a Supreme Court ruling, the proposal already creates uncertainty among millions of migrant families.

Recent cases and active programs

In recent years, the "Operation Janus" program has allowed the government to review more than 300.000 naturalization cases. In 2024 alone, at least 200 referrals to court for suspected fraud in citizenship proceedings were documented.

One of the most notorious cases involved a naturalized citizen who concealed a previous deportation order under another identity. His citizenship was revoked in 2023, and he was deported shortly thereafter.

Additionally, USCIS and DHS continue to scan fingerprints and other biometrics for matches against criminal and deportation databases.

What happens if you are denatured?

If a federal court revokes an individual's citizenship, they automatically revert to their previous immigration status. If they do not have a valid legal residence, they are subject to deportation.

The process doesn't happen automatically. The government must present compelling evidence to a judge, who will issue a denaturalization order. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can then initiate your deportation.

The affected party has the right to legal defense and appeal, but if he loses the process, he cannot reclaim it.cupto obtain citizenship by conventional means.

What risks exist in 2025?

The concerncupThe level of discrimination among naturalized citizens is growing, especially due to the lack of procedural safeguards. While denaturalization must be carried out in court, not all affected individuals can afford a defense, and free legal assistance is not guaranteed.

Experts have warned that these measures could discourage legal permanent residents from applying for citizenship for fear of future retaliation.

And although the total number of denaturalizations remains low, the political focus has shifted. Washington is no longer talking only about combating fraud, but also about "purging" those who once had political ties to governments like Cuba, Venezuela, or Iran.

Added to this is the fear of a possible "red list" of countries—including Cuba—from which flights and entry into the United States could be restricted, even for legal residents.

The current political climate, with its rhetoric stigmatizing naturalized immigrants, is keeping thousands of families in suspense. Although citizenship is an acquired right, in some cases it can also become a revocable right.