You worked hard to become a U.S. citizen. You studied, you waited, you went through the process, and you earned it. So it is completely natural to wonder: can the government take that away from you, even years later?
The short answer is yes, but only in very specific situations. If you live in Lancaster or York and you are a naturalized citizen, here is what you need to know.
What does it mean to have your citizenship revoked?
Denaturalization is when the government takes away someone’s citizenship. This is not the same as choosing to give up your citizenship on your own. It happens when the government goes to federal court and argues that you never should have received citizenship in the first place.
A letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) alone cannot take your citizenship away. It requires a judge.
When can the government take away your citizenship?
There are two main reasons this can happen:
- Providing false information during application: If you left out information that would have disqualified you, such as a serious criminal record, the government can use that against you later. The hidden information must have actually mattered to whether you should have been approved.
- Naturalization was obtained illegally: This means you did not meet the legal requirements at the time you were approved, even if no one caught it right away.
One important note: an honest mistake is not the same as intentional fraud. The government must prove you deliberately lied, not that you simply forgot something. Also, if a parent’s citizenship is revoked, their children who got citizenship through that parent may also be affected.
What is happening right now?
In June 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it is making denaturalization a higher priority than it has been in decades. This does not mean every naturalized citizen is at risk. However, if there are any concerns about your application or history, now is a good time to review your situation.
What can you do to protect yourself?
The best protection is honesty. If you were truthful when you applied, your citizenship is on solid ground. That said, if you receive any notice from USCIS or the DOJ about your citizenship, do not ignore it. Speaking with an immigration attorney as soon as possible may make a real difference in protecting what you have worked so hard to earn.