The Justice Department has launched what officials describe as the largest denaturalization effort in recorded U.S. history, filing civil complaints against 25 naturalized American citizens in a coordinated push to revoke citizenship from individuals accused of obtaining it through fraud or concealment.
Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Division Brett Shumate announced the effort on X, calling it “the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history.” According to Shumate, every individual targeted in the latest round of cases committed conduct that the department argues is incompatible with American citizenship.
“Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship. We are moving at record speed to denaturalize those who sought to deceive the federal government and abuse the naturalization process,” Shumate wrote.
Today marks the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history. Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship. We are moving at record speed to denaturalize those who sought to deceive the federal government and abuse the naturalization… https://t.co/5p7nBTb35J
— Brett Shumate (@AAGShumate) August 3, 2026
The latest filings are part of a broader campaign that has accelerated since President Donald Trump began his second term in the White House. According to a Justice Department news release, the department has now filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints, the highest number ever recorded.
Federal officials say the legal authority for these actions comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows citizenship to be revoked if naturalization was obtained illegally or through the concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentation. Unlike criminal prosecutions, these are civil proceedings aimed at reversing citizenship that prosecutors contend should never have been granted.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said American citizenship is a privilege that depends on applicants providing truthful and complete information throughout the naturalization process.
“The complaints announced today allege that these individuals secured naturalization through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct — including by concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts,” Blanche said.
25 complaints filed since July 20, 2026, mark LARGEST denaturalization effort ever
“U.S. citizenship is one of our nation’s highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “The complaints announced today allege… pic.twitter.com/ek7uHiAooR
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) August 3, 2026
He added that the current filings represent the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in the department’s history and indicated that additional cases are expected.
Among those named is 59-year-old Zia Murad Bhatti of Conway, Arkansas, a native of Pakistan. According to the Justice Department, Bhatti entered the United States illegally in 1992 using the name Raza Moorad and was ordered removed from the country. Officials allege that he never left, later married a U.S. citizen, and sought permanent resident status under the name Zia Murad Bhatti. During the naturalization process, prosecutors say he failed to disclose his previous identity and the prior removal order, allowing him to obtain citizenship.
Another case involves 62-year-old Emigdio Sanchez of South Carolina. The Justice Department alleges that Sanchez falsely answered questions on his naturalization application regarding prior criminal conduct. According to the department, one month before completing the application, Sanchez severely assaulted his wife, leaving her hospitalized. He later pleaded guilty to an assault charge.
Prosecutors argue that the assault demonstrated a lack of the good moral character required for naturalization and that disclosing the incident would have made him ineligible for citizenship. The government has filed a three-count complaint seeking to revoke his citizenship, alleging both material misrepresentations and failure to meet statutory eligibility requirements.
