Justice Department officials are calling it the largest denaturalization effort in U.S. history.

The Trump administration is moving to revoke the citizenship of 17 naturalized Americans. The major denaturalization push is said to be aimed at people who allegedly lied, hid crimes, or were never eligible to become citizens in the first place, CBS News shares. The cases, filed in federal court, include people accused or convicted of fraud, child sex offenses, money laundering, and other serious crimes.

“When criminal aliens exploit the naturalization process by breaking the law, there are consequences,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement.

The effort follows a broader policy shift in 2025 that expanded the categories of naturalized citizens who can be targeted, including people accused of both financial and identity fraud. Last month, the administration announced a separate round of denaturalization cases, and the latest filing appears to be an even wider sweep.

“American citizenship is a privilege, and it must be earned honestly. If you come here, break our laws, and lie in your immigration proceedings, you forfeit that privilege," said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Under U.S. law, the government can seek to strip citizenship if it proves someone obtained it illegally or through fraud, such as by concealing key information on an immigration application. Officials must convince a judge, and the process can be lengthy and complicated. Historically, denaturalization was used sparingly, often in cases involving war crimes, terrorism, or other extreme conduct.

The current cases span a range of allegations. The group includes people from countries including Haiti, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Cuba, India, Somalia, and others, with accusations ranging from child abuse to visa fraud and financial crimes.