The Department of Justice filed denaturalization actions Monday against 17 naturalized U.S. citizens accused of offenses including sexual abuse of a minor, wire and bank fraud, and drug distribution.

The filings mark the latest step in the Trump administration's expanded effort to revoke citizenship obtained through fraud or other violations. Officials described the move as the largest single-day action of its kind.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that gaining U.S. citizenship is a privilege and that the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of the naturalization process. He said the administration continues working with interagency partners to ensure citizenship goes only to those who deserve it.

The cases target individuals from multiple countries who allegedly concealed criminal histories or committed serious acts after naturalization. Denaturalization proceedings occur in federal district courts and can lead to loss of citizenship and potential removal from the United States.

This announcement builds on prior actions. In May the department moved against a dozen individuals with alleged terrorist ties or war crimes connections. Broader policy changes since early 2025 have directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to refer far more cases to prosecutors.

Internal guidance calls for USCIS field offices to supply the Justice Department with 100 to 200 denaturalization cases each month during fiscal year 2026. That pace would represent a sharp increase from historical averages of roughly a dozen cases per year before recent administrations.

The administration has prioritized denaturalization as one of the Civil Division's top enforcement areas. Prosecutors in U.S. attorney's offices nationwide are now handling more of these matters.

Denaturalization remains limited by statute to specific grounds such as willful misrepresentation during the naturalization process. Legal experts note that successful cases typically involve clear evidence of fraud at the time of application.

The effort reflects the administration's focus on enforcing immigration laws strictly and protecting the integrity of American citizenship from those who obtain it improperly.