denaturalization

Denaturalization is the legal process by which a state revokes the citizenship that has already been granted to an individual. It is typically pursued by a government in cases where the naturalization was obtained under false pretenses or where the person has since acted in ways deemed incompatible with the duties or loyalties of citizenship. The specific grounds and procedures vary by country.

Common grounds include fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining naturalization, concealment of material facts, or evidence of disloyalty or allegiance to another country. Some jurisdictions also consider serious criminal conduct, espionage, or acts that threaten national security as grounds for denaturalization. In many systems, denaturalization is not automatic but requires a formal legal proceeding and a finding of cause by a competent court or administrative body.

In the United States, denaturalization is typically pursued as a civil action in federal court. The government generally bears the burden of proof and must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that naturalization was obtained by fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of important facts, or that the person became disloyal to the United States after naturalization. The process includes notice, opportunity to respond, and the right to appeal.

Consequences of denaturalization include loss of citizenship, which can lead to statelessness if the person has no other nationality. This can entail the loss of political rights, eligibility for government protections, and potential risk of removal in some jurisdictions. International norms favor preventing statelessness and ensuring due process, so denaturalization often attracts scrutiny and debate regarding human rights and national security.