US DOJ moves to revoke citizenship of 40 naturalised Americans accused of hiding criminal pasts

The US Justice Department has filed denaturalisation cases against 40 naturalised citizens accused of concealing criminal records, immigration fraud or other material facts when seeking citizenship. The cases form the largest such filing period under the Trump administration.

The US Department of Justice has moved to revoke the citizenship of 40 naturalised Americans accused of concealing criminal histories, providing false information or withholding other material facts during the immigration and naturalisation process.

US DOJ to revoke the citizenship of 40 Americans

The cases were filed across federal courts between 21 August and 2 October, according to the Justice Department. The agency described the filings, announced on 5 October, as the largest volume of denaturalisation complaints submitted during a single period under the Trump administration.

The action targets people who were born outside the United States and later became naturalised citizens. The allegations vary from case to case.

They include claims involving serious criminal offences, immigration fraud, identity fraud, fraudulent marriages and failures to disclose previous immigration proceedings.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, citizenship obtained through naturalisation can be revoked if it was illegally procured or secured through the concealment of a material fact or a willful misrepresentation. However, the latest cases are civil complaints and the allegations have not yet been established in court. The Justice Department itself noted that the claims remain allegations.

Who are these people and what have they done?

Among the cases announced by the department is that of Lazaro Eduardo Trujillo Viton, a Cuban national accused of concealing his involvement in a healthcare fraud conspiracy and submitting fraudulent Medicare claims.

Prosecutors say the conduct began before he became a citizen and continued through the naturalisation process.

Another case involves Canadian-born Andrew Coldicutt, whom the department says misrepresented his criminal history while applying for citizenship. The government alleges he had previously been involved in securities fraud schemes and later faced federal convictions.

The filings also include Ramon Navarro, a Filipino national accused of entering into a fraudulent marriage to obtain lawful permanent resident status before using that status to pursue citizenship. In another case, Afghan-born Assad Jhon Ramim is accused of using another person's identity for almost three decades before ultimately obtaining US citizenship under that identity.

The announcement comes as the Justice Department has stepped up denaturalisation proceedings this year. In July, the department announced actions against 10 naturalised citizens accused of offences including child sexual abuse, healthcare fraud, immigration fraud and drug trafficking. In August, it announced another 25 cases, describing them at the time as part of what it called the largest denaturalisation effort ever.

The latest move also comes alongside a separate Justice Department crackdown on alleged election offences involving non-citizens. On 5 October, the department announced charges against 16 foreign nationals accused of illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration or falsely claiming US citizenship to vote.

The cases do not mean the 40 individuals have immediately lost their citizenship. The government must establish its claims through the legal process before naturalisation can be revoked.

For now, the Justice Department's filings represent allegations, and those named in the cases are entitled to contest them in court.

About the Author

Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.

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