WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump said Sunday he would consider revoking U.S. citizenship from certain naturalized Americans as his administration intensifies its immigration enforcement response following last week’s deadly attack on National Guard members. Speaking with reporters, Trump claimed some individuals had been “naturalized maybe through Biden or somebody that didn’t know what they were doing,” and said he would denaturalize people “absolutely,” if he had the authority to do so.
The comments come as federal agencies expand reviews of naturalized citizens charged with serious crimes. According to Axios, the Justice Department recently issued guidance directing federal attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases involving war crimes, gang activity, extrajudicial killings, and other human rights abuses. Officials noted that prosecutors must meet a high evidentiary standard before citizenship can be revoked, and that cases must be filed in federal court.
Trump has repeated similar warnings in recent weeks, including a Thanksgiving statement pledging to “end all federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens” and denaturalize migrants who “undermine domestic tranquility.” Research cited by Axios shows immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens, with a 2023 Stanford-led study finding immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated.
Federal data show 24.5 million immigrants living in the U.S. in 2022—more than half of all immigrants—are naturalized citizens. For many, the process includes years of residency requirements, English and civics testing, and background reviews required by the Immigration and Nationality Act. Government figures also show denaturalization remains rare: between 1990 and 2017, the Justice Department filed an average of 11 cases per year, though filings increased during Trump’s first term.
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