WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Trump administration is temporarily reassigning immigration lawyers to the Justice Department as it ramps up efforts to strip citizenship from some naturalized Americans. The move signals a renewed push to pursue denaturalization cases, a long-standing priority for President Donald Trump’s immigration team.
Officials say the effort focuses on people accused of gaining U.S. citizenship through fraud or false information during the naturalization process. The administration argues that stronger enforcement protects the integrity of the immigration system.
According to current and former officials familiar with the plan, lawyers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are being transferred to U.S. attorneys’ offices across the country to help handle denaturalization cases. The reassignment is temporary, but it reflects the administration’s growing focus on immigration enforcement and fraud investigations. USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler defended the move in a statement, saying the agency is supporting the Justice Department with experienced immigration attorneys.
“We are proud to support this critical effort by providing the Department of Justice with a team of our most skilled immigration law attorneys,” Kahler said.
Denaturalization is the legal process used to revoke U.S. citizenship from naturalized citizens. These cases are rare and often difficult to win in court. Federal law requires the government to provide clear and convincing evidence that a person intentionally lied or concealed important facts during the citizenship process.
Legal experts say the high burden of proof explains why denaturalization cases have historically remained limited. One former agency official said the process is difficult because investigators often struggle to find enough evidence to meet the legal standard required in court.
The Trump administration first increased denaturalization efforts during Trump’s first term. At the time, officials created a small team dedicated to identifying potential fraud cases tied to citizenship applications. Joe Edlow, the current head of USCIS, has repeatedly supported expanding the use of denaturalization cases. Speaking at an event last year hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies, Edlow said he preferred a broader and more decentralized system.
“If that gives rise to the need for a denaturalization, we’re going to move forward,” Edlow said.
The Justice Department has already filed dozens of denaturalization cases since Trump returned to office for a second term. A DOJ spokesperson said the administration filed 35 cases so far, including 12 filed this month alone. A Justice Department memo issued in June 2025 identified denaturalization as a major enforcement priority. The memo argued that pursuing such cases helps maintain trust in the naturalization system and discourages immigration fraud.
The administration also reportedly identified hundreds of people for possible denaturalization investigations. A New York Times report published in April said DOJ officials had shortlisted 385 individuals for potential legal action. During Trump’s first term, USCIS officials claimed they found roughly 2,500 possible cases involving suspected fraud. However, only a small number eventually moved forward in court.
Administration officials insist the effort targets serious cases involving fraud, criminal conduct, or false identities. They argue that people who obtained citizenship illegally should not keep the benefits of U.S. citizenship. In a statement to Axios, a DOJ spokesperson said the department welcomed support from USCIS attorneys to “advance the President’s mission to promote public safety and root out fraud.”
Immigration advocates and some former officials worry the expanded denaturalization push could create fear among naturalized citizens. Critics argue that increasing these investigations may discourage immigrants from applying for citizenship or participating fully in civic life.
They also point out that denaturalization cases can take years to resolve and require extensive legal resources. Some former USCIS officials questioned whether reassigned agency lawyers have enough courtroom experience to handle complex litigation. Sources familiar with the transfers said lawyers only need active law licenses and do not necessarily require prior trial experience. Despite those concerns, the administration appears committed to expanding the program. Trump officials continue to frame immigration enforcement as a central part of the president’s agenda ahead of the 2026 election season.
