Can USCIS take back your naturalization?

Why would USCIS cancel my oath ceremony?

USCIS cancels oath ceremonies due to various reasons, including unexpected operational issues, security concerns (especially for certain countries), policy shifts like new vetting requirements, or large-scale disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, often citing "unforeseen circumstances" or balancing workloads, leading to rescheduling or legal challenges from affected immigrants. 

What disqualifies you from getting U.S. citizenship?

You can be disqualified from U.S. citizenship for lacking "good moral character," often due to criminal history (especially violent crimes, drug trafficking, or aggravated felonies), serious financial issues (unpaid taxes/support), lying on applications, failing to register for Selective Service, or long absences from the U.S., all of which break residency requirements. Specific offenses like murder, sexual abuse of a minor, or drug trafficking can lead to permanent bars, while other offenses create temporary bars, requiring a waiting period to prove character. 

What are three ways you can lose your citizenship?

You can lose citizenship through voluntary acts like renouncing it or naturalizing in another country with intent to give up your original one, involuntary denaturalization for fraud, or through specific serious actions like treason or serving in a foreign military against your country, though these acts require proving intent to relinquish citizenship. The three main paths involve voluntary renunciation, involuntary denaturalization (for fraud/crimes), and specific expatriating acts like joining foreign military forces or taking foreign oaths. 

Could you lose your citizenship?

Loss of citizenship can occur if it is revoked (for example, due to citizenship being acquired or retained through false representation) or it can be renounced voluntarily (for example, if an individual chooses to become a citizen of a country that does not allow dual citizenship).

Why would you lose citizenship?

People can also be stripped of their citizenship if the Home Secretary is satisfied that they obtained it by fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact (such as seeking asylum under a fake identity).

Can a naturalized citizen be deported?

Yes, a naturalized U.S. citizen can be deported, but only if the government first successfully revokes their citizenship through a legal process called denaturalization, typically for fraud or misrepresentation during their citizenship application, turning them back into a non-citizen who is then deportable. While naturalized citizens generally have the same rights as native-born citizens, their citizenship can be challenged in federal court if it was "illegally procured" or obtained by concealing or lying about material facts, such as a criminal record or past immigration issues. 

Can you get your citizenship back if you lose it?

The loss of U.S. nationality, including instances in which the loss was caused by voluntary renunciation, can be challenged in an administrative proceeding with the Department of State or by filing a lawsuit seeking to regain U.S. citizenship in a United States District Court.

How long do you have to be out of the U.S. to lose your citizenship?

The general rule is that a naturalized citizen who voluntarily resides outside the US for an uninterrupted period of more than one year may be presumed to have abandoned their US citizenship.

Has U.S. citizenship ever been revoked?

Yes, U.S. citizenship can be revoked, a process called denaturalization, primarily for naturalized citizens who obtained it through fraud or concealment, though it's rare and legally complex, with historical periods seeing wider revocation for political reasons, especially involving war criminals and alleged communist ties, with recent efforts focusing on immigration fraud. 

What are common reasons for deportation?

The U.S. may detain and deport noncitizens who:

• Participate in criminal acts.
• Are a threat to public safety.
• Violate their visa.

Does naturalization expire?

You do not need to renew a Certificate of Naturalization—it does not expire once issued. If you were born in the U.S., you are a citizen by birth and do not need a Certificate of Naturalization.

Who decides if citizenship is revoked?

The government must petition the court to revoke the naturalization of a suspected offender and present evidence of the materiality of the false statement, and the federal judge must issue a ruling revoking citizenship.

What are the five ways of losing citizenship?

Denaturalization

• Fraud in the naturalization process, including sham marriages.
• Failure to renounce another citizenship after having committed to doing so in a naturalization procedure.
• Severe legal breaches such as treason.

Can a government revoke citizenship?

In general, a person is subject to revocation of naturalization on this basis if: The naturalized U.S. citizen misrepresented or concealed some fact; The misrepresentation or concealment was willful; The misrepresented or concealed fact or facts were material; and.

What crime can cause a citizen to lose citizenship?

U.S. citizenship can be revoked (denaturalization) primarily through illegal procurement by lying or concealing material facts during naturalization (like criminal history, terrorism ties) or for treason, espionage, war crimes, human rights violations, or membership in terrorist/criminal groups, often involving serious felonies or fraud that would have barred citizenship if known, with recent efforts prioritizing national security and severe criminal acts.
 

How can a person lose his citizenship?

As per the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person may lose citizenship through voluntary renunciation, acquiring citizenship of another country, or continuous absence from India for over seven years without registration.

What are the reasons a naturalized citizen can be denaturalized?

Naturalized citizens who committed human trafficking offenses, sex offenses, and other violent crimes; Naturalized citizens who have committed financial fraud against the United States government (including Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud);

What are 7 ways you can lose your U.S. citizenship?

You may lose your U.S. citizenship in specific cases, including if you:

• Run for public office in a foreign country (under certain conditions)
• Enter military service in a foreign country (under certain conditions)
• Apply for citizenship in a foreign country with the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship.

What crimes can get a naturalized citizen deported?

Crimes of moral turpitude are crimes that typically involve deceit, fraud, or harm to others. These crimes carry additional penalties, including the potential penalty of deportation for naturalized U.S. citizens.

What is the new law for citizenship 2025?

Major U.S. citizenship changes in 2025 involve a new, tougher 2025 Civics Test for naturalization applicants (effective Oct. 20, 2025) with more questions and a stronger focus on positive contributions, alongside stricter Good Moral Character (GMC) reviews, while proposed legislation like the Birthright Citizenship Act aims to alter birthright citizenship itself. Applicants filing after October 20, 2025, face the new test, which draws from a larger question bank, requiring 12/20 correct answers, and a holistic GMC review assessing community involvement beyond just the absence of crimes.