Story perspectives

Justice Department Files Biggest Denaturalization Case, 17 Citizens

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department filed the largest U.S. denaturalization action, targeting 17 naturalized citizens.
The case includes a Cuban native convicted of a $36 million health-care fraud scheme and a Colombian drug trafficker’s daughter accused of money-laundering.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said citizenship can be forfeited when immigrants lie and break the law.
Denaturalization would revert them to permanent-resident status and strip deportation immunity.

History

Historical Context

Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act in 1996, taking effect April 1 1997 and widening removal and denaturalization powers. The law’s expansion of expedited removal was later amplified by the Trump administration in 2019, prompting ACLU lawsuits and a 2020 Supreme Court affirmation. Today the Justice Department’s action against 17 naturalized citizens reflects that enduring enforcement framework.

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Story summary

The Justice Department filed the largest U.S. denaturalization action, targeting 17 naturalized citizens.
The case includes a Cuban native convicted of a $36 million health-care fraud scheme and a Colombian drug trafficker’s daughter accused of money-laundering.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said citizenship can be forfeited when immigrants lie and break the law.
Denaturalization would revert them to permanent-resident status and strip deportation immunity.

1 / 2