The Trump administration is temporarily relocating immigration lawyers from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to the Justice Department to accelerate efforts to strip citizenship from naturalized Americans suspected of fraud. This move underscores the administration's broader crackdown on legal immigration system integrity.
Lawyers Reassigned to Focus on High-Burden Cases
According to internal sources, USCIS lawyers are being moved to U.S. attorney's offices to assist with denaturalization cases, a process that requires proving 'clear, convincing, and unequivocal evidence' of fraud. Staffers have reportedly been 'volun-told' to transfer, with no prior trial experience required beyond an active law license.
'We are proud to support this critical effort by providing the Department of Justice with a team of our most skilled immigration law attorneys,' said USCIS Spokesman Zach Kahler.
Increased Focus on Denaturalization
The administration has prioritized denaturalization cases since Trump's first term, identifying over 2,500 potential cases but referring only a fraction to the Justice Department. As of recent reports, 385 individuals have been shortlisted for charges, with 35 cases filed since the start of Trump's second term.
A Justice Department memo from June 2025 highlighted denaturalization as a top priority, emphasizing its role in 'supporting the overall integrity of the naturalization program.'
Challenges and Criticisms
Denaturalization cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute due to the high burden of proof. Critics argue that the decentralized approach proposed by USCIS Chief Joe Edlow may not yield significant results. 'It's really hard to prove... the standard is really high, and you need good evidence,' one source noted.
Despite these challenges, the administration remains committed to its mission of rooting out fraud in the immigration system, viewing denaturalization as a crucial tool in protecting national sovereignty and public safety.