US launches biggest denaturalisation drive, targets 40 including Indian-origin man

The US Justice Department has moved to strip 40 naturalised citizens, including an Indian-origin man, of citizenship. The cases signal an expansive crackdown on alleged fraud, concealment and misrepresentation in the naturalisation process.

In Short

• Cases cite espionage, manslaughter and sexual violence among alleged offences
• Law allows revocation when citizenship was gained illegally or by concealment
• Officials said every accused person misrepresented facts during the naturalisation process

The US has launched what it called the largest denaturalisation effort in modern history, moving to strip 40 people, including one person of Indian origin, of their American citizenship, the Department of Justice said on Monday.

The individuals are facing denaturalisation actions in courts across the US over allegations of serious offences, including acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated sodomy against a special-needs man. "Today's announcement marks the largest denaturalisation effort in modern history," Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalised US citizen's citizenship may be revoked and the certificate of naturalisation cancelled if it was obtained illegally, or through concealment of a material fact or wilful misrepresentation. "Every single one of these individuals lied their way into US citizenship," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalisation effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in US citizenship. Our message is clear: the United States will not tolerate deception in the naturalisation process," he said.

Among those facing action is Balwinder Singh of California, whose case has been filed in the state's Eastern District court. The Justice Department said Singh submitted an immigration application in 1992 under the identity of Balwinder Singh. In 2003, he sought and received permanent resident status under a second identity. "Fingerprints establish that Singh submitted both applications. In 2009, Singh naturalised under his second identity. The complaint alleges seven counts for his numerous misrepresentations and unlawful acts that adversely reflect his moral character," the department said.

The department is also seeking to revoke the citizenship of Jinchao Wei, a China-born former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage-related offences. According to the Justice Department, Wei enlisted in the Navy in 2021 and by February 2022 had begun conspiring to sell military secrets to China. He became a US citizen in May 2022 under provisions meant to speed up naturalisation for people serving honourably in the US armed forces. Wei was convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage, and unlawful export of technical data related to defence articles. He was sentenced to 200 months in prison and discharged from the Navy.

The Justice Department said denaturalisation actions have also been initiated against people from Pakistan, Mexico, Cambodia, Nepal and Afghanistan, as part of its move against 40 naturalised citizens accused of obtaining US citizenship through fraud, concealment or misrepresentation.

With PTI Inputs

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