Can they take away your U.S. citizenship? We explain the case of a woman who lost it after 17 years of naturalization
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that a woman who was naturalized 17 years earlier has had her U.S. citizenship revoked; the government allegedly argued she obtained naturalization by concealing material facts.
- Denaturalization (revocation of naturalized citizenship) is a civil court action usually brought by the Department of Justice, not by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
- Grounds include fraud, concealment, or willful misrepresentation in the naturalization process; denaturalization can occur years or even decades after naturalization.
- Losing citizenship removes voting and many civic rights and can expose a person to deportation and other immigration consequences; anyone facing this should consult an immigration attorney immediately.
Case overview
It has been reported that a federal court revoked the U.S. citizenship of a woman who had been naturalized for 17 years. Univision’s coverage notes that prosecutors argued she obtained naturalization by concealing information during her application — allegations the government must prove in court. Allegedly, the evidence met the legal standard and the court ordered revocation; the report does not mean the facts are uncontested and the individual may have appeals available.
How denaturalization works
Denaturalization is different from losing citizenship through voluntary expatriation. It is a civil lawsuit typically filed by the Department of Justice seeking to “strip” a naturalized certificate when the government says the naturalization was illegally procured — most commonly because of fraud, concealment of a material fact, or willful misrepresentation on immigration forms or at the oath ceremony. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) processes naturalization applications, but the DOJ brings denaturalization suits in federal court and must generally prove its case by clear, convincing evidence. The government can and has pursued such cases many years after naturalization when it alleges the original grant was obtained by deception.
What this means for immigrants now
For naturalized citizens, this is a reminder that citizenship can be challenged if the government alleges material fraud in the original application. For lawful permanent residents (green card holders) planning to naturalize, full and accurate disclosure of past arrests, convictions, memberships, and prior immigration history is essential. If someone is notified of a denaturalization action, the immediate practical consequences include loss of the right to vote, possible loss of federal benefits, and exposure to removal (deportation) proceedings once citizenship is revoked. Anyone contacted by the government about these issues should get experienced immigration counsel right away to evaluate defenses, preserve appeal rights, and explore relief.
Source: Original Article