The United States Department of Justice has initiated its largest coordinated denaturalisation effort in history, filing civil cases to revoke the citizenship of 25 naturalised Americans, including three Nigerian-born individuals, over allegations ranging from immigration fraud to violent crimes and child sexual abuse.
Record Number of Denaturalisation Cases Filed
In a statement released on Monday, August 3, the Justice Department announced that complaints were filed in federal district courts between July 20 and August 3, seeking to strip citizenship from individuals who allegedly obtained it illegally through fraud, concealment of material facts, or wilful misrepresentation. This brings the total number of civil denaturalisation complaints since January 20, 2025, to 123, the highest on record.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasised that US citizenship is one of the country's highest privileges and must be obtained lawfully. He alleged that those named in the complaints secured naturalisation by hiding violent criminal histories, child sexual offences, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying information.
Three Nigerians Among Those Targeted
Among those listed were three Nigerian-born naturalised US citizens. The Justice Department filed a case against Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, 56, in the District of Massachusetts, alleging he obtained citizenship under a false identity after previously being ordered deported under another name. Prosecutors claimed he concealed the earlier deportation order and made multiple false statements during naturalisation.
Another Nigerian, Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, 56, also known as Folake Rosemary Thomas, was accused of adopting a new identity after being ordered removed from the United States. According to the complaint, she allegedly entered into a sham marriage with a US citizen while still married to another Nigerian man, obtained permanent residency through the marriage, and later became a US citizen. She was convicted of passport fraud in 2014.
The third Nigerian, Vivian Chike Obichere, 72, faces allegations that she concealed the use of another person's identity during her naturalisation proceedings. She later pleaded guilty to passport-related offences after admitting she had previously applied for and used a US passport bearing another person's identity.
Broader Crackdown on Naturalised Citizens
The remaining cases involve naturalised citizens from several countries, including Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Taiwan, Liberia, Cameroon, Jordan, Cuba, El Salvador, Peru, Honduras, India, Moldova, and Sweden. Allegations include attempted murder, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, marriage fraud, identity theft, immigration fraud, bank fraud, passport fraud, and concealment of criminal conduct.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate described the action as the biggest denaturalisation surge on record, saying the department was moving quickly against individuals accused of deceiving immigration authorities. The department stressed that the complaints are civil actions and that all allegations remain unproven unless established in court.
Implications for Nigerian Citizens
This development underscores the importance of transparency in immigration applications. The US Mission in Nigeria has previously reminded travellers that holding a valid US visa does not automatically determine how long they can remain in the country. Visitors are urged to verify their authorised period of stay through their electronic arrival record after entering the United States.
As the Justice Department continues its efforts, the integrity of the naturalisation process remains a top priority. The department noted that there has been no determination of liability against any of the defendants, and all are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court.
