Plans in the U.S.: Citizenship to be reviewed
According to various media outlets (including The New York Times), the Trump administration plans to step up so-called “denaturalization” proceedings. This refers to the retroactive revocation of citizenship for naturalized individuals.
Specifically, the initial focus will be on approximately 400 cases. By way of comparison, between 1990 and 2017, only slightly more than 300 such proceedings were initiated in total. The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for the matter, refers to this as a “first wave.” This suggests that further proceedings could follow in the future.
Legally, such a step is possible in the United States only under certain conditions. Citizenship may be revoked if it was originally obtained through fraud or false statements. Examples include:
- providing false information regarding one's identity during the naturalization process
- undisclosed crimes
- Marriages of convenience
- Failure to meet the requirements for Naturalization
- residence requirements not met
- lack of "good moral character"
In such cases, a court decides whether the Naturalization should be revoked.
Officially, the measure is presented as a way to combat fraud. However, revoking citizenship is considered one of the most severe infringements on a person’s rights. Critics therefore fear that the measure could have a deterrent effect on many naturalized citizens.
Germany: Is it possible to revoke citizenship?
The short answer is: Yes! But the legal situation in Germany is significantly stricter than in the U.S. Citizenship is specifically protected by the Basic Law.
A key principle is set forth in Article 16 of the Basic Law. It states: German citizenship may not be revoked if doing so would render a person stateless.
Furthermore, the loss of citizenship is possible only on the basis of a law. A blanket or politically motivated revocation of German citizenship is therefore prohibited under the Basic Law.
Exception: Under what circumstances can citizenship be revoked?
Despite the protection afforded by the Basic Law, there are cases in Germany where citizenship can be revoked or Naturalization rescinded. The most important provisions governing this are found in the Nationality Act (§ 28, § 35, and § 35a StAG)
You may lose your German citizenship if:
- Naturalization was obtained Naturalization fraud, threats, or bribery
- or if important information provided during the naturalization process was knowingly false or incomplete
In such cases, the authorities may Naturalization revokeNaturalization . This means that, for legal purposes, the citizenship is treated as if it had never been acquired. Revocation is generally possible up to ten years after Naturalization.
It is important to note that the authorities may not review such cases on a blanket basis. A retroactive review of Naturalization only permissible if there is a specific and well-founded suspicion —such as of fraud or false statements. A retroactive review without specific suspicion is not legally permitted.
In addition, as of December 2025, anyone who has obtained German citizenship through deception, threats, bribery, or knowingly false statements may be Naturalization from Naturalization for up to ten years.
However, there are clear limits here as well: The authorities must carefully review each case, and there are statutory deadlines for revocation. Another key point is that German citizenship may not be revoked if doing so would render the person stateless.
Other special cases: Loss of German citizenship
In addition to the revocation of Naturalization other circumstances under which German citizenship may be lost or revoked.
For example, German citizens can voluntarily renounce their German passport if they acquire another nationality. However, Germany has allowed dual citizenship since 2024. Since then, voluntarily renouncing German citizenship has only been necessary if the other country does not allow dual citizenship.
In addition, German citizenship may be revoked if a person joins the armed forces of a foreign country—of which they are also a citizen—without the approval of the Ministry of Defense.
A person also risks losing their German citizenship if they participate in combat operations carried out by a terrorist organization abroad. However, the same rule applies here: a German passport may only be revoked if the person does not thereby become stateless.
Conclusion: Significant differences between the U.S. and Germany
Recent developments in the United States show that revocation of citizenship is possible there under certain circumstances—particularly in cases of fraud during the naturalization process. At the same time, there is growing criticism that this tool could be used for political purposes.
In Germany, the loss of citizenship is subject to much stricter regulations. It is protected by the Basic Law and can only be lost in very limited exceptional cases.
For those seeking naturalization and those who have already been naturalized, this means that once German citizenship has been acquired, it is generally secure —provided it was obtained lawfully and there was no fraud involved.
