At Cohen, Tucker + Ades, we are closely monitoring a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy that directly impacts naturalized U.S. citizens. Recent internal guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicates that the Trump Administration is planning an aggressive escalation in efforts to strip certain individuals of their citizenship.

For decades, denaturalization was a rare legal tool, reserved for the most extreme cases of fraud or national security threats. However, new directives suggest that the “modern era” of immigration enforcement is entering a much more volatile phase.

The New Quotas: A Massive Escalation

According to reports from The New York Times, USCIS field offices have been instructed to supply the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100 to 200 denaturalization cases per month for the 2026 fiscal year.

To put this in perspective, consider the historical data:

• 2017 to late 2025: Just over 120 cases were filed in total.

• The New Goal: Up to 2,400 cases per year.

This represents a nearly 2,000% increase in the frequency of these proceedings. Critics and former agency officials warn that such “arbitrary numerical targets” risk turning a serious legal process into a blunt instrument, potentially targeting individuals who may have made honest, non-material mistakes on paperwork decades ago.

What the Law Says: Can Citizenship Be Taken Away?

Under federal law, U.S. citizenship is intended to be permanent. However, the government can pursue denaturalization under narrow circumstances:

1. Illegal Procurement: If the individual was not actually eligible for naturalization at the time it was granted.

2. Material Misrepresentation/Fraud: If the individual willfully misrepresented or concealed a “material fact” during the application process.

The Justice Department has indicated it will prioritize cases involving individuals linked to criminal organizations, financial fraud, or those who used multiple identities to circumvent the system. However, the sheer volume of cases requested by the administration suggests a much wider net is being cast.

The Legal Hurdle for the Government

Stripping citizenship is not an administrative “click of a button.” It requires a federal court proceeding.

• The Burden of Proof: In civil cases, government lawyers must present “unequivocal evidence” of fraud.

• The “Materiality” Requirement: Following a 2017 Supreme Court ruling, the government cannot strip citizenship for a minor, irrelevant lie. They must prove that the lie actually influenced the outcome of the citizenship claim.

Why This Matters to You

There are approximately 26 million naturalized Americans. While the administration frames this as a “war on fraud” to restore integrity to the system, the shift toward high-volume quotas creates an environment of “fear and uncertainty.”

At Cohen, Tucker + Ades, we believe that citizenship is one of the most precious rights a person can hold. If you or a loved one are concerned about past applications or have been contacted by USCIS regarding your status, it is critical to seek experienced legal counsel immediately.

Our firm is dedicated to defending the rights of naturalized citizens and ensuring that “honest mistakes” do not lead to the loss of your American identity.

Would you like us to review your naturalization file or discuss your specific concerns regarding these new USCIS guidelines? Contact our team today for a confidential consultation.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains general information and is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. Immigration laws and fee schedules are subject to frequent change. The information provided herein may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act or refrain from acting based on information contained in this post without seeking professional counsel from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this post.

Sources:

New York Times |  Trump Administration Aims to Strip More Foreign-Born Americans of Citizenship