Congress Must Stop Quotas For Stripping Citizenship From Naturalized Americans

NO AMERICAN CITIZEN SHOULD FACE QUOTA-DRIVEN REVOCATION PROCEEDINGS As a constituent, I urge you to speak out now against any policy that treats denaturalization like a production target rather than an extraordinary remedy. Denaturalization is the government process of revoking U.S. citizenship from a naturalized American, typically through a civil court action. Recent reporting indicates internal guidance is pushing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to generate roughly 100-200 potential denaturalization referrals per month for fiscal year 2026. Those referrals would be sent for possible pursuit by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Numeric targets do not belong in any process that can end in the loss of citizenship. THE SUPREME COURT’S HIGH PROOF STANDARD MUST NOT BE TURNED INTO A QUOTA SYSTEM Denaturalization is extraordinary. The Supreme Court of the United States has required “clear, unequivocal, and convincing” proof in civil denaturalization. When agencies are judged by how many cases they generate, the process itself becomes the punishment: years of fear, legal bills, and disruption that tell millions of Americans they are citizens on probation. NO ONE SHOULD FACE CITIZENSHIP LOSS WITHOUT REAL DUE PROCESS Because denaturalization is civil, there is no guaranteed right to counsel even though the stakes are life-altering. Congress should strengthen notice, record access, and legal-assistance funding. CONGRESS MUST BLOCK LAWS THAT MAKE CITIZENSHIP CONDITIONAL FOR SOME This enforcement push is reinforced by proposals like S.3318, the American Citizens First Act, which would authorize denaturalization tied to “domestic tranquility.” Congress should reject language that invites inconsistent application and makes citizenship hinge on shifting enforcement priorities or political pressure. CONGRESS MUST IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATE GUARDRAILS AGAINST ABUSE Congress should: (1) Issue a public statement opposing denaturalization quotas and any mass-referral pipeline. (2) Hold prompt hearings with sworn testimony from DHS/USCIS and DOJ on the FY2026 guidance, case-selection criteria, safeguards against political retaliation, and error rates. (3) Send formal oversight letters demanding the guidance, metrics, training materials, and communications directing field offices to meet numeric targets. (4) Require quarterly reporting and direct GAO and the DHS Inspector General to review referrals, filings, outcomes, and regional patterns. (5) Pass legislation that bans numeric targets, codifies the “clear, unequivocal, and convincing” standard for civil denaturalization, and limits denaturalization to proven, material, willful fraud or illegal procurement - not minor omissions or vague “good moral character” theories. (6) Establish a right to counsel when U.S. citizenship is contested, including funding for appointed counsel for those who cannot afford it. Thank you.