Trump administration plans to ramp up efforts to strip more foreign-born Americans of citizenship

The Trump administration has implemented changes to the U.S. immigration system, making it more difficult for people to enter and remain in the country. These changes include restrictions on asylum seekers at the southern border, a pause on asylum applications within the US, and travel bans targeting predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries. Officials claim these measures will enhance national security and preserve American values.

“It’s no secret that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ war on fraud includes prioritising those who’ve unlawfully obtained U.S. citizenship — especially under the previous administration,” Matthew J. Tragesser, a U.S.C.I.S. spokesman, was quoted as saying by The New York Times. “We will pursue denaturalisation proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalisation process. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Justice to restore integrity to America’s immigration system.”

There are approximately 26 million naturalised Americans in the country, according to the Census Bureau. In 2024, over 800,000 new citizens were sworn in, the majority of whom were born in Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic or Vietnam, as per the U.S.C.I.S. statistics.

Trump administration adds 20 more countries to US travel ban list

This comes after the Trump administration announced, on Tuesday, that it was adding 20 more countries and the Palestinian Authority to the US travel ban list.

The move was a part of the administration’s online efforts to tighten US entry standards for immigration and travel.

The move came after an Afghan national suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting of two National Guard troops over Thanksgiving weekend.

People who already have visas, are lawful permanent residents of the U.S. or have certain visa categories such as diplomats or athletes, or whose entry into the country is believed to serve the U.S. interest, are exempted from the restrictions.