US moves to revoke citizenship of two Nigerians and 38 others

The United States Government has commenced proceedings to revoke the citizenship of two Nigerian nationals and 38 other individuals accused of serious offences as part of the Donald Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.

The United States Department of Justice made the announcement in a statement on Monday, October 5, 2026.

According to the statement, the department has filed denaturalization actions in multiple U.S. district courts against 40 individuals accused of serious offenses, including acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated sodomy against a special‑needs man. 

Filed between August 21 and October 2, 2026, these complaints represent the largest volume of complaints submitted in a single period under the Trump administration.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.

“Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalization effort in modern history,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. 

"From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the U.S. government and represent serious criminal offenders. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice will continue to employ the denaturalization process to maintain our national security and protect the American people.”

“Every single one of these individuals lied their way into U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. 

“This administration will continue to pursue the largest denaturalization effort in department history to restore trust and integrity in U.S. citizenship. Our message is clear: the United States will not tolerate deception in the naturalization process."

One of the Nigerians is identified as Douglas Chukwuka Eze, (citizenship Unknown/Adult, Age Unknown)

According to the statement, on August 10, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Eze, also known as Anthony Chux Ezehez, because he committed immigration fraud in his naturalization proceedings. 

“In 2023, Eze was convicted of two counts of False Swearing in Immigration Matter, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1546, based on his admission that, in the 1990’s, he stole a birth certificate belonging to Spencer Douglas Callaghan and used Mr. Callaghan’s identity to obtain immigration benefits,” the statement read.

“The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Eze’s naturalization because he procured his naturalization by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations, he illegally procured his lawful permanent resident status by misrepresenting his identity and criminal history, and he provided false testimony when he lied under penalty of perjury in his naturalization proceedings. (District of Maryland).”

The second Nigerian is Beatrice Chioma Nwaoha Ashamole, 54, who the Justices Department accused of concealing previous  criminal and immigration records during her naturalisation proceedings. 

“On Sept. 25, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalization of Beatrice Chioma Nwaoha Ashamole because throughout her naturalization proceedings, she did not disclose prior aliases, prior arrests, a prior immigration benefits application, or prior exclusions and deportations, despite the application asking for such information,” the statement read.

“The United Sates is charging her with illegally procuring her naturalization through fraud and false testimony. (District of Maryland.)”