The United States has launched the largest denaturalisation effort in its modern history, moving to strip 40 individuals — including a man of Indian origin — of their American citizenship over alleged fraud and serious criminal offences, the Department of Justice said.
The 40 cases
The 40 people face denaturalisation proceedings in multiple courts across the country. According to the department, they stand accused of grave offences including acting as an agent of a foreign government, voluntary manslaughter and aggravated sodomy against a special-needs man.
"Today's announcement marks the largest denaturalisation effort in modern history," Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Monday. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalised citizen's citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained illegally, by concealing material facts or through wilful misrepresentation.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the department's Civil Division said every one of the individuals had "lied their way into US citizenship", adding that the administration would keep pursuing the drive to restore trust in the naturalisation process.
The Indian-origin accused
Balwinder Singh of California faces action in the state's Eastern District court for allegedly using a fraudulent identity to gain admission to the United States and acquire citizenship. The department said Singh applied for immigration in 1992 under the identity of Balwinder Singh, then sought and received permanent residency in 2003 under a second identity. Fingerprints established that he submitted both applications, and he naturalised in 2009 under the second identity. The complaint alleges seven counts tied to misrepresentations and unlawful acts.
The former Navy sailor
The department is also seeking to revoke the citizenship of Jinchao Wei, a China-born former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage-related offences. Wei enlisted in 2021 and, according to the department, began conspiring by February 2022 to sell military secrets to China. He became a citizen in May 2022 under provisions meant to fast-track naturalisation for honourably serving military personnel. In August 2025 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage and unlawful export of defence technical data, and sentenced to 200 months in prison before being discharged from the Navy.
Others facing action come from Pakistan, Mexico, Cambodia, Nepal and Afghanistan, the department said.
Sources:
- CNBC-TV18 (PTI): US launches largest denaturalisation effort, targets 40 accused offenders including Indian
The 40 cases
The 40 people face denaturalisation proceedings in multiple courts across the country. According to the department, they stand accused of grave offences including acting as an agent of a foreign government, voluntary manslaughter and aggravated sodomy against a special-needs man.
"Today's announcement marks the largest denaturalisation effort in modern history," Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Monday. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalised citizen's citizenship can be revoked if it was obtained illegally, by concealing material facts or through wilful misrepresentation.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the department's Civil Division said every one of the individuals had "lied their way into US citizenship", adding that the administration would keep pursuing the drive to restore trust in the naturalisation process.
The Indian-origin accused
Balwinder Singh of California faces action in the state's Eastern District court for allegedly using a fraudulent identity to gain admission to the United States and acquire citizenship. The department said Singh applied for immigration in 1992 under the identity of Balwinder Singh, then sought and received permanent residency in 2003 under a second identity. Fingerprints established that he submitted both applications, and he naturalised in 2009 under the second identity. The complaint alleges seven counts tied to misrepresentations and unlawful acts.
The former Navy sailor
The department is also seeking to revoke the citizenship of Jinchao Wei, a China-born former US Navy sailor convicted of espionage-related offences. Wei enlisted in 2021 and, according to the department, began conspiring by February 2022 to sell military secrets to China. He became a citizen in May 2022 under provisions meant to fast-track naturalisation for honourably serving military personnel. In August 2025 he was convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, espionage and unlawful export of defence technical data, and sentenced to 200 months in prison before being discharged from the Navy.
Others facing action come from Pakistan, Mexico, Cambodia, Nepal and Afghanistan, the department said.
Sources:
- CNBC-TV18 (PTI): US launches largest denaturalisation effort, targets 40 accused offenders including Indian
