The United States Department of Justice has filed denaturalization actions against 25 individuals, including three Nigerians, over allegations that they unlawfully obtained American citizenship through fraud, identity concealment, sham marriages, or other forms of misrepresentation.
The cases, filed in various U.S. district courts between July 20 and August 3, 2026, involve individuals accused of offenses ranging from attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon to aggravated sexual assault of a child, as well as immigration and identity fraud.
The Department of Justice announced the development in a statement on Monday, describing it as the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in the department’s history.
Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, the government may revoke a person’s naturalized citizenship if it determines that the citizenship was obtained illegally or through the concealment of material facts or willful misrepresentation.
According to the Justice Department, 123 civil denaturalization complaints have been filed since January 20, 2025 — the highest number in recorded U.S. history.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said:
“U.S. citizenship is one of our nation’s highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly.”
“The complaints announced today allege that these individuals secured naturalization through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct — including by concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts.”
“Today’s filings represent the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in Department history, but they are only the beginning. The Justice Department will continue to use every tool available to protect the integrity of the naturalization process and the safety of the American people.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate added:
“Today marks the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history. Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship. We are moving at record speed to denaturalize those who sought to deceive the federal government and abuse the naturalization process.”
Nigerians Named in the Cases
Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan
On July 21, 2026, the U.S. government filed a denaturalization case against Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan in the District of Massachusetts.
According to court filings, Obasohan, a Nigerian national, allegedly obtained U.S. citizenship under a false identity after previously being ordered deported under the name Tinosa Joe Aigbedion.
The Justice Department alleged that he failed to disclose his previous identity and outstanding deportation order during his immigration and naturalization process.
The government has filed a five-count complaint seeking to revoke his citizenship on the grounds that he was statutorily ineligible for naturalization, unlawfully obtained permanent residency, and made multiple material misrepresentations to immigration authorities.
Yetunde Folake Olaniyi
On July 31, 2026, the Department of Justice filed a case in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, also known as Folake Rosemary Thomas.
According to the complaint, Olaniyi allegedly ignored a deportation order, assumed a new identity, and entered into what authorities described as a sham marriage with a U.S. citizen despite already being legally married to another Nigerian citizen.
The Justice Department said she later obtained a green card and eventually became a U.S. citizen under the assumed identity.
In 2014, she was convicted in federal court for passport fraud after fingerprint records reportedly revealed her true identity.
The seven-count complaint alleges that she obtained permanent residency and citizenship through fraudulent means and made numerous willful misrepresentations during the naturalization process.
Vivian Chike Obichere
On July 30, 2026, the Justice Department filed a denaturalization action against Vivian Chike Obichere in the Northern District of California.
Obichere became a U.S. citizen in 2013 but allegedly made false declarations during her naturalization process, including denying that she had committed undisclosed crimes, used multiple identities, travelled outside the United States during the relevant period, or provided misleading information to U.S. authorities.
The department said she later pleaded guilty to making false passport applications and admitted that she had previously used another person’s identity and passport while concealing those facts during her citizenship application.
Authorities are seeking to revoke her citizenship on allegations that she illegally procured naturalization through concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentation…..See more