The United States government has filed cases to revoke the citizenship of 25 people, including three Nigerians, for allegedly obtaining American citizenship through fraud.
The US Department of Justice announced the action on Monday, August 3, 2026.
The three Nigerians named are Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, 56, Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, 56, and Vivian Chike Obichere, 72.
They face accusations of sham marriage, fake identity, and hiding key facts during naturalisation.
What The US Government Is Alleging
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government can revoke citizenship if it was obtained illegally or through hiding facts.
The complaints were filed between July 20 and August 3, 2026.
According to the US Department of Justice, this is part of 123 civil denaturalisation complaints filed since January 20, 2025, the highest number in history.
“U.S. citizenship is one of our nation’s highest privileges, and it must be obtained lawfully and honestly,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
He added, “The complaints announced today allege that these individuals secured naturalization through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct — including by concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said, “Today marks the largest denaturalization surge in recorded history. Every one of these individuals committed crimes incompatible with U.S. citizenship.”
Details Of Cases Against Three Nigerians
For Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, the US filed a case in Massachusetts on July 21.
Prosecutors allege that before becoming a resident, he was ordered deported under the name Tinosa Joe Aigbedion. He later naturalised as Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan without disclosing the other name or the deportation order. The government filed five counts to revoke his citizenship.
For Yetunde Folake Olaniyi, also known as Folake Rosemary Thomas, the case was filed in Maryland on July 31.
Prosecutors allege she was ordered removed and refused to board her flight. Instead, she took a new identity and entered a sham marriage with a US citizen while still married to a Nigerian. In 2014, she was convicted of passport fraud after fingerprints revealed her true identity. The seven-count complaint says she lacked good moral character for citizenship.
For Vivian Chike Obichere, the case was filed in California on July 30. She naturalised in 2013. She allegedly told officials she never committed crimes, used only one alias, and never gave false information.
Later she pleaded guilty to false application and use of a passport. She admitted she used another person’s identity, a US citizen, to get a passport. The case seeks revocation on four counts.
