DOJ Files 25 Denaturalization Cases Involving Sexual Offenses, Fraud and Violent Crimes

Justice Department filed 25 civil denaturalization complaints alleging naturalization fraud, bringing total filings since January 2025 to a record 123 across federal courts nationwide.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed civil lawsuits seeking to revoke the citizenship of 25 naturalized Americans, marking what the department described as its largest coordinated denaturalization effort.

The complaints were filed in federal courts across the country between July 20 and Aug. 3, 2026. They accuse the defendants of illegally obtaining citizenship or securing naturalization by concealing material information or making willful misrepresentations.

According to the department, the cases involve allegations ranging from the use of false identities and fraudulent marriages to the concealment of violent crimes, child sexual abuse and financial fraud.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a federal court may revoke citizenship if it determines that naturalization was illegally obtained or secured through concealment or willful misrepresentation. Filing a complaint does not itself revoke a person’s citizenship.

The Justice Department said it has filed 123 civil denaturalization complaints since Jan. 20, 2025, which it characterized as the largest number recorded during such a period.

Among the defendants is Zia Murad Bhatti, a 59-year-old Arkansas resident accused of entering the country under one name, later using another identity and concealing an earlier removal order during the immigration and naturalization process.

The department is also seeking to revoke the citizenship of Tatiana Power, a 46-year-old Florida resident who was convicted in 2022 of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors allege Power participated in a business selling child sexual abuse material before becoming a citizen and failed to disclose the conduct during naturalization.

Other complaints involve people previously convicted of sexual offenses against minors. They include Jose Luis Martinez-Zavala, Jose Francisco Cruz, Francois Nguessi Dame, Cantave Previlon, Carlos Ernesto Giron, Miguel Eduardo Romero and Manuel Antonio La Rosa-Lopez.

The department also filed cases involving alleged marriage or identity fraud. Yi Lee is accused of organizing sham marriages before becoming a citizen, while Yetunde Folake Olaniyi allegedly used another identity and a fraudulent marriage after being ordered removed from the United States.

Two cases involve citizenship obtained through military service. Dwyane Robinson, a former Army servicemember convicted of attempted first-degree murder and assault, allegedly failed to complete the required period of honorable service. Juan Camilo Montoya was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps after pleading guilty at court-martial to possessing and distributing child pornography, according to the department.

Additional complaints cite financial offenses. Haitham A. Mustafa allegedly concealed credit card fraud committed around the time of his naturalization, while Jairo Javier Pedron Tellez is accused of failing to disclose his participation in a bank fraud and identity theft conspiracy.

“U.S. citizenship is one of our nation’s highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the department’s announcement.

Civil denaturalization cases require the government to prove its claims in court. The allegations contained in the 25 complaints have not resulted in findings of civil liability, and the defendants will have an opportunity to contest them.