Milpitas, California /Jalandhar/Chandigarh – The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the recent surge in denaturalisation lawsuits filed by the U.S. federal government against naturalised American citizens. According to a recent report released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), the number of civil denaturalisation complaints filed by the federal government has increased dramatically in recent months. The report indicates that 15 denaturalisation lawsuits were filed in May 2026 and another 18 in the first half of June 2026, representing a significant departure from historical trends.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal stated that while the government has a legitimate responsibility to pursue cases involving serious immigration fraud, terrorism, human rights violations, or other major criminal offences, any effort to revoke citizenship must be conducted with utmost fairness, transparency, and respect for constitutional protections. “Citizenship is one of the most important rights and privileges granted by the United States. Millions of immigrants have worked hard, followed the law, and contributed to this country for decades. Any action that seeks to revoke citizenship must be based on clear evidence, due process, and judicial oversight,” said Chahal.
NAPA noted that the TRAC report raises concerns about the potential expansion of denaturalization efforts beyond serious cases involving fraud and criminal conduct. The report highlights that federal authorities have broad discretion in determining which cases to pursue, creating uncertainty among many naturalized citizens who have long considered their status secure. “Immigrant communities, including Punjabi Americans and other South Asian Americans, are closely following these developments,” Chahal added. “Many naturalized citizens are concerned about the possibility of citizenship being challenged years or even decades after it was granted. The government must ensure that enforcement actions are targeted only at individuals who intentionally obtained citizenship through serious fraud or deception.”
NAPA emphasized that lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens should ensure that all information provided in immigration applications is accurate and truthful. At the same time, the organization urged federal authorities to maintain public confidence in the naturalization system by safeguarding due process rights and avoiding overly broad interpretations of denaturalization laws. “The United States has always been a nation of immigrants. Protecting the integrity of the citizenship process is important, but equally important is protecting the rights of those who have lawfully earned their place as American citizens,” Chahal said.