The Trump administration is significantly expanding efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship from certain naturalized Americans as part of its broader immigration crackdown, according to two people familiar with the plans.

In recent months, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Homeland Security agency that oversees legal immigration, has reassigned staff and dispatched specialists to field offices nationwide to review whether some naturalized citizens could face denaturalization, the sources said.

The initiative aims to generate between 100 and 200 potential denaturalization cases per month for the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, one of the sources said. Historically, such cases have been rare and typically involve individuals who concealed criminal records or human rights violations during the naturalization process. The New York Times first reported the proposed monthly target.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, the administration filed 102 denaturalization cases over four years, according to Justice Department data.

The expanded effort aligns with Homeland Security’s broader push to tighten immigration enforcement. That campaign has included deploying large numbers of immigration officers to conduct deportation operations in major cities and acquiring large facilities to detain migrants.

The department has also moved to revoke thousands of visas, including for individuals who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and has sought to deport some green card holders.

Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for USCIS, said the agency reviews naturalized citizens’ cases when there is credible evidence of fraud or misrepresentation.

“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud in the naturalization process and will pursue denaturalization proceedings for any individual who lied or misrepresented themselves,” Tragesser said. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue those undermining the integrity of America’s immigration system and work alongside the Department of Justice to ensure that only those who meet citizenship standards retain the privilege of U.S. citizenship.”

According to the sources, administration officials are also exploring ways to accelerate the process. Rather than centralizing efforts, as was done during Trump’s first term in a Pasadena, California, warehouse, USCIS is training staff and dedicating personnel across more than 80 field offices to identify potential cases.

The Justice Department has directed attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases and outlined examples that could qualify, including individuals who pose national security risks, committed war crimes or torture, or engaged in Medicare or Medicaid fraud. A broad provision also allows prosecutors to pursue “any other cases” deemed sufficiently important.

Denaturalization cases often span multiple administrations. Justice Department figures show the Trump administration secured 86 denaturalization judgments in his first term, while the Biden administration won 54 cases.

Trump has frequently emphasized citizenship as a defining policy issue and has criticized immigration from what he calls “third world nations.” Separately, he is seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to noncitizens, a move now under consideration by the Supreme Court.

On Thanksgiving last year, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would remove anyone who was not a “net asset” to the country, end federal benefits for noncitizens, denaturalize migrants who undermine “domestic tranquility,” and deport foreign nationals deemed security risks or public charges.

Roughly 800,000 people become naturalized U.S. citizens each year, according to DHS. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold lawful permanent resident status, demonstrate English proficiency, pass a civics test and show “good moral character” under the Immigration and Naturalization Act.

Historically, denaturalization cases have focused on individuals who obtained citizenship fraudulently, including former Nazis who entered the United States under false pretenses after World War II. Though both Democratic and Republican administrations have pursued such cases, they remain uncommon, in part because of the high legal threshold required.

“No president can unilaterally strip people of the citizenship they’ve worked so hard to earn,” said Doug Rand, a former USCIS official.

Legal experts note that denaturalization proceedings are complex and time-consuming. Even if the government initiates a case, it can take years to resolve, and deportation proceedings could extend further.

“Denaturalization is a significant tool that should be used in rare cases,” said Sarah Pierce, an immigration policy analyst who previously served at USCIS under President Joe Biden.

Pierce said USCIS has broad discretion in approving naturalization applications, and individuals who were not flagged previously could face scrutiny under shifting policy priorities. She warned that recent policy changes could make some naturalized citizens vulnerable to retroactive fraud claims.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the government to strip citizenship from individuals convicted of serious felonies within 10 years of naturalization, or those found to have committed fraud or joined terrorist groups.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, 16 denaturalization cases have been filed, with seven resulting in judgments so far. One involved a man originally from the United Kingdom who was convicted of receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Deborah Chen, supervising attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group’s immigrant protection services program, said some clients with pending naturalization applications have recently been denied due to unpaid taxes, even when they were on payment plans. She suggested immigration officers may be applying stricter interpretations of “good moral character,” which can include factors such as steady employment, caregiving responsibilities and community involvement.

Advocates say the administration’s push could have a chilling effect beyond the courtroom. Even when cases do not lead to loss of citizenship, investigations can impose financial and emotional burdens on individuals forced to hire attorneys and compile documentation.

Margy O’Herron, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, said the threat alone can create fear.

“Citizens are afraid that if they do or say something the government doesn’t like — even if those things are lawful and protected by the Constitution — they will be a target,” she said.