The Trump administration is stripping Americans of their citizenship at a shocking rate, with a pace of denaturalization unprecedented in modern US history. This month alone, the Department of Justice has filed papers to revoke citizenship from 17 naturalized Americans, part of a broader effort that targets naturalized immigrants more aggressively than at any time in recent memory.
Unprecedented Pace
The current administration's denaturalization efforts far exceed those of previous administrations. The Biden administration initiated only 64 cases over four years, while the first Trump administration started proceedings against 168 people. Now, internal guidance suggests the administration seeks 100-200 cases per month, according to New York Times reporting. This marks a stark contrast to the post-civil rights era, where denaturalization was used sparingly after a 1967 Supreme Court decision set a high legal bar.
Legal and Political Concerns
While denaturalization is legally permissible for fraud or misrepresentation, the Trump administration has expanded categories to include anyone deemed a threat to national security or with pending criminal charges. The American Immigration Lawyers Association warns these categories are not grounded in statute and are ripe for political abuse. Critics argue that simply criticizing the administration could lead to citizenship revocation, turning enforcement into a political weapon.
The administration's focus on immigrants of color is evident, with policies that have all but ended refugee resettlement except for white South Africans. Greg Bovino, head of immigration enforcement, recently spoke at an extreme-right Remigration Summit, which advocates mass expulsion of non-white immigrants. This rhetoric aligns with broader anti-immigration sentiment, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's characterization of Europe facing an immigrant invasion.
Moustafa Bayoumi, a naturalized citizen and author, reflects on his own citizenship ceremony in 2011, contrasting the celebratory democratic values with today's climate of fear. He argues that the true denaturalization needed is of the belief that human value is tied to skin color, a basic truth being eroded under this administration.
