DOJ Files 40 More Denaturalization Cases, Targets 250 by End of October

The Justice Department said on October 6, 2026 that it filed 40 denaturalization actions in federal district courts between August 21 and October 2, bringing its total past 200 cases, with a stated goal of reaching 250 by the end of October. Attorney General Todd Blanche called it the "largest denaturalization effort in modern history." Those named had pleaded guilty to crimes including money laundering conspiracy and sexual abuse of a minor; DOJ's theory is that they lied on their naturalization applications, revocable under federal law if proven by "clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence."

The filings continue a summer campaign that began with a then-record 25 cases in two weeks. In April, the Times reported DOJ had identified 384 foreign-born Americans it wanted to denaturalize, and USCIS attorneys were reassigned to work the cases. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said, "Every single one of these individuals lied their way into U.S. citizenship." No outside legal challenge to the broader campaign has been reported.