If you're one of the thousands of foreign nationals who become naturalized US citizens each year, you're to be congratulated. The naturalization process can be long, and it takes a lot of effort on your part. You may not know it, though, but it's possible for you to lose your US citizenship.

Denaturalization is how the US government revokes or cancels your US citizenship because you've done something that's contrary to being a US citizen. There are several things that can jeopardize your citizenship:

  • Concealing facts or lying to the immigration officials
  • Refusing to testify before the US Congress
  • Joining certain organizations
  • Receiving certain military discharges

Reasons for Revocation

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the US Department of State can make a determination that your citizenship should be revoked. The US immigration law is very specific about what can lead to revocation of your citizenship as well as the revocation process.

Concealment

If you concealed facts or lied about important matters at the time you were interviewed by the USCIS on your application for naturalization, then your US citizenship may be revoked. Some examples include intentionally not listing a criminal conviction, giving a false name or lying about the period of time you've been in the US on your application.

Refusing to Testify

Your US citizenship can be cancelled if you refuse to testify before a committee formed by the US Congress to investigate your participation in subversive activities. Your refusal to testify, however, has to be within 10 years after the USCIS granted your application for naturalization.

What's a "subversive activity?" It can be many things, but for revocation purposes it generally means doing or teaching others how to do some act that's designed to:

  • Overthrow the US government, especially through violence and force
  • Harm or injure US government officials

Membership in Subversive Organizations

Membership in a subversive organization or group within five years after you became a naturalized citizen could lead to revocation of your citizenship. The Communist Party and terrorist groups are the classic examples of "subversive" organizations.

Military Service and Discharge

It's possible to become a naturalized citizen based upon your service in the US armed forces. If, however, you are dishonorably discharged before you've served five years honorably, your citizenship may be cancelled. For example, immigrant A enlisted in the US Army in 2005 and was sent to a combat unit in Iraq. In 2007 she applied for and was granted naturalization based upon her honorable military service. In 2008, she was dishonorably discharged. Because A didn't have five years of honorable service before her dishonorable discharge, her US citizenship may be revoked.