The United States government, on Monday, announced that it has filed “Largest Single-Period Filing” in court under President Donald Trump to revoke the citizenship of two Nigerian nationals and 38 others individuals as part of the anti-immigration efforts in the United States. 

In a statement by the Department of Justice, the denaturalisation complaints were filed under Immigration and Nationality Act between August and October and targeted individuals who had been convicted of various offences such as acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated sodomy. 

“The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed denaturalization actions in multiple U.S. district courts against 40 individuals accused of serious offenses, including acting as an agent for a foreign government, committing voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated sodomy against a special‑needs man. 

“Filed between Aug. 21 and Oct. 2, 2026, these complaints represent the largest volume of complaints submitted in a single period under the Trump administration,” the Justice Department said. 

A 54-year-old woman named as Beatrice Chioma Nwaoha Ashamole is one of the two confirmed Nigerian nationals on the denaturalisation list, with the Trump administration accusing her of failing to disclose prior criminal records during her citizenship application process. 

The Justice Department noted that she has been indicted on charges of illegally procuring her naturalisation through fraud and false testimony in the District of Maryland.

“On Sept. 25, the Department of Justice filed a complaint in the District of Maryland seeking the denaturalisation of Beatrice Chioma Nwaoha Ashamole because throughout her naturalization proceedings, she did not disclose prior aliases, prior arrests, a prior immigration benefits application, or prior exclusions and deportations, despite the application asking for such information,” the department said. 

Meanwhile, Semiu Olaiye ljelu is the second defendant listed as a Nigerian citizen in the criminal complaints. The prosecutors accused the 58-year-old of applying for immigration benefits under two different identities and ordered to be deported as a result of it. 

He allegedly failed to disclose the deportation order during his permanent residency application after marrying a United States citizen in 2009, with the Trump administration now seeking the revocation of his U.S. citizenship. 

“The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking ljelu’s naturalisation because he did not lawfully adjust status, did not have the required good moral character for naturalisation, and procured his naturalisation by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations. (Northern District of Georgia),” the Justice Department stated. 

Others defendants named in the complaints include Douglas Chukwuka Eze whose original nationality is listed as unknown, 58-year-old Ifeolu Samuel Akingbemisilu from Sierra Leone, Norma Patricia Esparza from Mexico among others. 

Commenting on the filings, U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “Today’s announcement marks the largest denaturalisation effort in modern history. From an individual convicted of espionage to others convicted of sexual offenses against minors, these defendants concealed critical facts from the U.S. government and represent serious criminal offenders.”

He added, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice will continue to employ the denaturalisation process to maintain our national security and protect the American people.”