The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed denaturalization cases against 40 naturalized U.S. citizens accused of serious crimes, marking the largest single-period filing of such cases under the Trump administration. The complaints, filed between August 21 and October 2, allege a range of offenses including espionage, child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, identity theft, and voluntary manslaughter. The DOJ announced the actions in a statement on October 5, framing the cases as part of an ongoing effort to address fraudulent naturalization and national security threats.
Key cases include espionage and national security violations
Among the 40 cases, two involve individuals convicted of working for the Chinese government. Jianan Wei, a former U.S. Navy sailor, was convicted in August 2025 of conspiracy to commit espionage and related charges after providing classified military information to a Chinese intelligence officer. Prosecutors allege Wei received over $12,000 in exchange for photographs, videos, and technical data about U.S. Navy vessels, including the amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Wei was sentenced to 200 months in prison in January 2026. The DOJ’s civil complaint argues that Wei concealed his espionage activities during his naturalization process, though he was acquitted of naturalization fraud.
A second case involves Li Ping, a 61-year-old former employee of a major U.S. telecommunications company, who was convicted of providing sensitive information to Chinese authorities. The DOJ alleges both men misrepresented their affiliations and activities to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Other alleged crimes span multiple categories
The remaining cases involve a variety of criminal allegations, including:
- Sexual abuse of minors: One case involves Ramiro Escot Esparza, a Mexican national who concealed a prior conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor during his 2008 citizenship interview. He was later convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
- Financial crimes: Yusmary Shirley Duran Mejia, a Colombian national naturalized in 2018, admitted to conspiracy to commit money laundering in 2019. The DOJ alleges she procured citizenship through misrepresentations.
- Drug trafficking and identity theft: Additional cases cite offenses such as drug distribution, identity fraud, and voluntary manslaughter.
Legal framework and process
Denaturalization is pursued under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows for the revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through fraud or willful misrepresentation. The DOJ’s civil complaints must prove that the naturalized citizen concealed or misrepresented material facts during their immigration process. If successful, denaturalization would strip the individuals of their U.S. citizenship, potentially leading to deportation.
The cases span multiple U.S. district courts and involve individuals from Mexico, China, Pakistan, Colombia, and other countries. The DOJ has not specified whether additional cases will be filed in the coming months.
Background on denaturalization efforts
Denaturalization cases have been a priority for the DOJ in recent years, with the Trump administration accelerating such actions compared to previous administrations. The DOJ has stated that these cases target individuals who pose threats to public safety or national security, as well as those who obtained citizenship through deception. Critics argue that denaturalization cases are selectively applied and may disproportionately target immigrants from certain countries, while supporters contend they are necessary to uphold the integrity of the naturalization process.
The DOJ has not responded to requests for comment on the broader implications of these cases or potential policy shifts.