…Internal memo mandates Department of Homeland Security to scrutinize submitted paperwork, Department of Justice to step up aggressive enforcement
*Aim is to generate between 100 and 200 cases per month for immigration litigation, a sharp increase from previous Trump’s first term where only 102 cases were filed in four years
* U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is now redeploying experts and reassigning staff across its field offices to identify potential denaturalization cases
*“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud in the naturalization process and will pursue denaturalization proceedings for any individual who lied or misrepresented themselves in their paperwork documentation. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those undermining the integrity of America’s immigration system no matter how long it takes”– USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser
*“We will remove anyone who was not a net asset to the United States, and I pledge to denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility”–President Trump in Truth Social post
*BY TEKEMA JOHN/DIPLOMATIC Correspondent, Washington DC, Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
If you are a Naturalized American from any of the 54 African countries in the continent, you need to read this urgently, as your permanent residency being a citizen of the United States may be in jeopardy now. President Donald Trump recently sent an internal memo a few days ago to the Department of Homeland Security, DHS, to scrutinize profoundly all the paperwork of immigrants who got their citizenship by way of Naturalization. The DHS was directed to search for red flag in form of ‘fraud’ in their documentation. And the Department of Justice, DOJ, was ordered to step up enforcement in prosecution, revocation of citizenship of anyone convicted and ensure deportation proceed effectively. The memo targets nationals of Nigeria. Ghana, Liberia; South Africa and other Africans who may have received their Naturalization 30 years (three decades) way back.
The Trump administration is significantly expanding efforts to strip U.S. citizenship from naturalized Americans as part of its broader crackdown on immigration, according to people familiar with the plans.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been redeploying experts and reassigning staff across its field offices to identify potential denaturalization cases.
The aim is to generate between 100 and 200 cases per month for immigration litigation, a sharp increase from previous years. During Trump’s first term, only 102 cases were filed over four years.
Denaturalization cases have historically focused on individuals who concealed criminal histories or human rights violations during their application process. The push is part of wider Department of Homeland Security (DHS) measures that include large-scale deportation missions, expanded detention facilities, visa revocations, and attempts to deport green card holders.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said the agency investigates when there is credible evidence of fraud or misrepresentation.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud in the naturalization process and will pursue denaturalization proceedings for any individual who lied or misrepresented themselves,” he said as quoted by NBC News. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue those undermining the integrity of America’s immigration system and work alongside the Department of Justice to ensure that only those who meet citizenship standards retain the privilege of U.S. citizenship.”
Officials are also seeking ways to speed up the process by embedding trained staff across more than 80 field offices. The Justice Department has directed attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases, including those involving national security risks, war crimes, torture, or government fraud, with a broad category for other significant cases.
Trump has long focused on redefining citizenship and has challenged birthright citizenship, an issue now before the Supreme Court.
In a Truth Social post, he vowed to remove anyone who was not a “net asset” to the U.S. and pledged to “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility.”
Around 800,000 people become naturalized citizens each year, meeting requirements such as legal permanent residency, English proficiency, knowledge of U.S. civics, and “good moral character.” Experts stress that stripping citizenship remains rare and legally complex.
“It’s so important for current and future naturalized U.S. citizens to know that no president can unilaterally strip people of the citizenship they’ve worked so hard to earn,” said Doug Rand, a former USCIS official.
DONATE TO HELP BUILD A SPECIAL APPS FOR JOURNALISTS AGAINST LIVER ELEVATION & KIDNEY FAILURE:
CERTAINLY, Good journalism costs a lot of money. Without doubt, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. We are ready to hold every corrupt government accountable to the citizens. To continually enjoy free access to the best investigative journalism in Nigeria, we are requesting of you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavor.”
By contributing to NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all without fear or favor.
Your donation is voluntary — please decide how much and how often you want to give.
FOR OFFLINE OR ANONYMOUS DONATION ON THIS PROJECT OR HELP COVER COST FOR SERIES OF UNDERCOVER REPORTING IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, DO PAY DIRECTLY FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO: NIGERIA BANK NAME-MONIEPOINT *BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER: 7076577445
Feel free to send us an email: letters@nigeriastandardnewspaper.com or call us directly at +2347076577445 (Nigeria) or WhatsApp American Roaming Mobile Number: +16825834890 (Chat messages only available)
donation
