Naturalized Filipinos, the third-largest group of new US citizens in 2024, are increasingly anxious about the Trump administration's denaturalization push. As USCIS implements monthly referral targets of 100-200 cases—detailed in prior coverage—lawyers urge safeguards against potential audits of past applications.
The Naturalization Certificate represents a hard-earned milestone for many Filipino families pursuing the American Dream. Yet, the Trump administration's new denaturalization initiative, which sets USCIS referral quotas of 100 to 200 cases monthly to the DOJ (as previously reported), is sparking widespread fear among this community.
Filipinos are particularly vulnerable: over 41,000 took the Oath of Allegiance in 2024 alone, and of the 2.1 million Philippine-born US residents, about 1.6 million (76%) are naturalized—the highest rate among major immigrant groups.
"Many of our kababayans are very fearful and are asking if they are covered," said San Francisco immigration lawyer Lou Tancinco. Common worries include past criminal convictions, immigration fraud, marital misrepresentations, or undisclosed children. Even minor errors like incorrect travel dates or incomplete job histories can trigger scrutiny, though only material lies affecting eligibility warrant revocation.
The 2017 Supreme Court case Maslenjak v. US protects against denaturalization for trivial falsehoods. Tancinco stresses: "USCIS cannot simply revoke citizenship." Naturalized citizens are entitled to a federal court hearing, with the burden on the government. She advises consulting lawyers before signing any USCIS statements.
This policy sows anxiety over both serious issues and honest mistakes, threatening the security of long-term residents.
