Legal Definitions - denaturalization

Denaturalization is the legal process through which a government revokes the citizenship of an individual who originally obtained it through naturalization. This action results in the person losing all the rights, responsibilities, and protections associated with being a citizen of that country.

Here are some examples to illustrate denaturalization:

• Example 1: Fraudulent Application

  Imagine a person, Mr. Davies, applied for citizenship in a new country. During his application process, he falsely claimed he had never been convicted of a crime, even though he had a serious felony conviction in his country of origin. Years after becoming a naturalized citizen, the government discovers this deliberate misrepresentation through an international information-sharing agreement. The government could then initiate denaturalization proceedings against Mr. Davies.

  This illustrates denaturalization because Mr. Davies obtained his citizenship through fraud and concealment of material facts. The government is now taking legal steps to revoke his citizenship, effectively stripping him of his status as a citizen due to his deceptive actions during the naturalization process.

• Example 2: Concealment of War Crimes

  Consider Ms. Chen, who became a naturalized citizen of a European nation. Decades later, international investigators uncover evidence that Ms. Chen had actively participated in severe human rights abuses and war crimes as a high-ranking official in a foreign regime before she immigrated. She deliberately concealed this history during her naturalization application and interviews, presenting herself as a victim of the regime.

  In this scenario, the government would likely pursue denaturalization against Ms. Chen. Her citizenship was granted based on a material misrepresentation and concealment of facts that would have disqualified her from naturalization had they been known. Denaturalization would mean she loses her citizenship and all associated rights and protections in that European nation.