As someone who came all the way to Colorado from a different country, you likely faced a long and difficult journey to get here. Once here, you made your life and possibly even started a family, but still, simply having permanent residency did not feel like enough. As a result, you pursued the path of becoming a naturalized citizen and were successful.
Reaching this goal was undoubtedly a major milestone in your life, and you may believe that you will hold your U.S. citizenship for the rest of your life. However, would it surprise you to learn that the government could revoke your citizenship?
Denaturalization
Obtaining your citizenship meant going through the naturalization process, and a denaturalization process that revokes citizenship for naturalized citizens also exists. Four grounds for denaturalization exist, which include the following:
- Dishonorable military discharge: If you joined the U.S. military in hopes of becoming a citizen through your service, you could face revocation of your citizenship if you receive a dishonorable discharge before serving for five years.
- Refusing to testify before Congress: If authorities have accused you of involvement in actions meant to subvert the government, you cannot refuse to testify before a congressional committee during the course of the investigation. However, this stipulation does not apply if you have held citizenship for 10 years.
- Membership to subversive groups: If the government can prove that you are a member of a group that intends to subvert the government, authorities can revoke your citizenship if you joined the organization within five years of obtaining citizenship.
- Providing false information or concealing relevant facts: When you fill out your paperwork and answer interview questions for naturalization, you have to provide correct and truthful information. Giving false answers or leaving out relevant information could give reason to later revoke your citizenship.
Because you have worked hard to become a naturalized citizen, you certainly do not want to find yourself facing possible denaturalization. Unfortunately, even if you think you have remained an upstanding citizen, accusations could come against you.
Having help
If for some reason you do face this possibility, it would be in your best interests to consult with a legal professional. An experienced immigration law attorney could help you understand your case and the legal options that may be available to you.