Denaturalization Risk Assessment

DOJ Denaturalization Statistics (tap cards to flip)

Operation Second Look (2017) and Operation Janus III (2025) use AI-powered facial recognition matching naturalization photos against deportation records, arrest mugshots, and visa overstay databases. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed nationwide expansion.

Grounds for Denaturalization (tap to expand)

• Critical

  Identity Fraud

  Using false name, fake documents, or another's identity. #1 trigger from Operation Janus.

  ▼
  • AI facial recognition matches naturalization photos against deportation records & mugshots
  • 1990s-2000s naturalizations now being digitized and cross-referenced
  • False Social Security numbers, altered birth certificates flagged automatically
  • Even minor name spelling variations can trigger investigation

  Operation Janus III (2025): Reviewing millions of historical records with AI matching. People who naturalized 20+ years ago are being flagged.
• Critical

  Prior Deportation Orders

  Citizenship obtained while having removal order, or re-entry after deportation.

  ▼
  • Includes "voluntary departure" orders that weren't complied with
  • Re-entry after deportation under different identity = criminal + denaturalization
  • Old paper records being digitized and matched to current citizens
  • Even if you didn't know about the order, citizenship can be revoked

  No statute of limitations: DOJ can file denaturalization case 30+ years after naturalization if fraud is discovered.
• High

  Criminal History Concealment

  Failing to disclose arrests, convictions, or criminal activity on N-400.

  ▼
  • Includes crimes committed abroad - new data-sharing with 15+ countries
  • Even dismissed charges and juvenile records may need disclosure
  • "Have you EVER been arrested?" means ever, not just convictions
  • DUIs, domestic violence, drug offenses commonly concealed

  Sep 2025: New data-sharing agreements with Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala sharing criminal records with USCIS.
• High

  Marriage Fraud

  Sham marriage to obtain immigration benefits. 41-49% of benefit fraud cases.

  ▼
  • Operation Bargain Bride (Mar-Apr 2025): Busted $4M ring charging $20k-$40k per sham marriage
  • Operation Twin Shield (Minneapolis): 1,000+ suspected fraud cases flagged
  • Reviewing marriages where divorce occurred within 5 years of citizenship
  • Cross-referencing address records showing separate residences
  • ICE tip line accepting anonymous reports with bounty payments

  Aug 1, 2025: USCIS Policy Manual updated - denied applications while out of status trigger automatic removal proceedings.
• Moderate

  Material Misrepresentation

  False statements about employment, residence, travel, or affiliations.

  ▼
  • "Material" = would have affected the decision to grant citizenship
  • Overstating income, understating time outside US, false employers
  • Failing to report all addresses lived at
  • Not disclosing membership in certain organizations

  Burden of proof: Government must show misrepresentation was material AND willful. Harder to prove than identity fraud.
• Moderate

  Membership in Prohibited Groups

  Communist Party, Nazi party, terrorist orgs within 10 years of naturalization.

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  • Includes totalitarian parties, militias, and designated terrorist organizations
  • 10-year lookback period from naturalization date
  • Even involuntary or compulsory membership may be grounds
  • Social media posts being used as evidence of undisclosed affiliations

  Exception: Membership by operation of law, for employment purposes, or when under 16 years old may not be disqualifying.

Denaturalization Process Timeline

Are You at Risk? Self-Assessment

If you answer "yes" or "unsure" to any of these questions, consult an immigration attorney immediately:

• Did you ever use a different name or identity when entering the US or on any immigration forms?
• Were you ever arrested, detained, or convicted of any crime (even if dismissed) that you didn't disclose on your N-400?
• Did you have a deportation or removal order at any time before becoming a citizen?
• Did you marry a US citizen primarily to obtain immigration benefits?
• Did you misstate your residence history, employment, or travel on immigration applications?
• Were you ever a member of any organization that could be considered prohibited (political parties, militias, etc.)?
• Did you enter the US using someone else's documents or a fraudulent visa?
• Have you received any communication from USCIS or DOJ regarding your naturalization?

Trump Administration Quotas & Enforcement

• Quota

  1,200-2,400 Annual Cases Target

  Monthly quotas = 100-200x historical rate. AG Pam Bondi's June 2025 memo directs Civil Division to "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings."

• Method

  Database Mining (Operation Janus III)

  AI-powered facial recognition matching naturalization photos against prior deportation records, arrest mugshots, and visa overstay databases.

• Method

  Foreign Government Data Sharing

  New agreements with 15+ countries to share criminal records. DOJ cross-referencing against N-400 disclosures for unreported arrests abroad.

• Method

  Operation Twin Shield (Minneapolis)

  Joint USCIS/ICE/FBI/DEA operation flagged 1,000+ suspected fraud cases in Twin Cities alone. Director Edlow says operations will "hit many, many cities" through 2027.

• Method

  Operation Bargain Bride

  March-April 2025 bust dismantled network charging $20,000-$40,000 per sham marriage. $4M in illicit proceeds. Led to 50+ denaturalization referrals.

• Method

  24 Benefit Fraud Task Forces

  ICE operates nationwide task forces. Marriage fraud = 41-49% of all benefit fraud cases per GAO. 462 referrals and 369 arrests at USCIS offices since Jan 20, 2025.

• Method

  Tip Lines & Bounties

  ICE expanded anonymous tip line. Some jurisdictions offering informant payments for leads resulting in denaturalization.

Who Gets Targeted: DOJ prioritizes "low-hanging fruit" - cases with clear documentary evidence (identity fraud, prior deportation). This means people who naturalized 20+ years ago are being reviewed, as older records are digitized and matched.

Recent Developments (2025-2026)

• Jan 8, 2026: Trump establishes new DOJ Division for National Fraud Enforcement - dedicated to immigration fraud prosecution
• Dec 2025: Internal documents reveal 100-200 monthly denaturalization case quotas for USCIS offices
• Aug 1, 2025: USCIS Policy Manual updated with sweeping marriage fraud crackdown - tighter vetting, automatic NTAs for denials
• Jul 2025: Operation Twin Shield (Minneapolis) flags 1,000+ suspected fraud cases; Director Edlow announces nationwide expansion
• Jun 11, 2025: AAG Brett Shumate memo directs Civil Division to "maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings"
• Mar-Apr 2025: Operation Bargain Bride dismantles $4M marriage fraud ring ($20k-$40k per sham marriage)
• Mar 22, 2025: Presidential memo directs DOJ to sanction attorneys who coach clients to conceal information
• Jan 20, 2025: Since inauguration: 462 benefit fraud referrals to ICE, 369 arrests at USCIS field offices