USCIS Updates Denaturalization Referral Guidance (PA-2026-13)

On September 14, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Alert PA-2026-13 , Revocation of Naturalization Referrals. The alert updates Volume 12, Part L of the USCIS Policy Manual — now titled Loss of U.S. Nationality and Revocation of Naturalization — on how USCIS identifies and refers cases for possible revocation of naturalized citizenship (often called denaturalization). The guidance is effective immediately.

USCIS says the update reorganizes and clarifies existing guidance on prioritization of referrals. The alert also states that the update does not otherwise change the existing guidance describing when a naturalized citizen is subject to revocation under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Important: this does not change the 2025 civics test

PA-2026-13 is about post-naturalization enforcement referrals — not the naturalization interview or civics exam. The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test is unchanged: if you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, you study the 128-question bank; officers ask up to 20 questions; you need 12 correct to pass. Keep using official USCIS study materials and our free scored practice test .

What “denaturalization” means in plain language

Naturalization can be revoked only through a federal court process — not by a USCIS officer alone deciding to cancel your citizenship status after you took the Oath.

There are two paths:

USCIS may refer cases to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for consideration of civil or criminal action. In some situations, USCIS may also refer cases to DOJ’s Office of Immigration Litigation.

Key reassurance for honest applicants: USCIS’s own Policy Manual explains that the government generally cannot start revocation proceedings against someone who was eligible when naturalized but later committed crimes after naturalization. The focus is on naturalization that was illegally procured or obtained by willful misrepresentation / concealment of a material fact.

What USCIS says it prioritizes for referral

The updated manual lists priority categories USCIS refers to ICE. Examples include cases involving:

• Potential national security danger (including terrorism- or espionage-related concerns)
• Egregious public safety concerns
• Torture, war crimes, or other serious human rights violations
• Gang, cartel, or transnational criminal organization activity
• Undisclosed felonies during the naturalization process
• Human trafficking, sex offenses, or violent crimes
• Significant financial fraud (including against the United States) and fraud against private parties
• Naturalization obtained through government corruption, fraud, or material misrepresentation
• False identity, false claim to U.S. citizenship, or unlawful voting before naturalization
• Marriage fraud cases

This is a priority list for referrals, not a new list of everyday study topics for the civics test. Most people who naturalize lawfully and tell the truth on Form N-400 are not the target of these enforcement priorities.

Why CitizenExams readers should care

If you are preparing for citizenship, the practical takeaways are steady and familiar:

1. Tell the truth on Form N-400 and at your interview. Material omissions and willful misrepresentations are exactly the kind of issues that can later support a revocation case.
2. Meet the eligibility rules at the time you naturalize (residence, physical presence, good moral character, lawful permanent residence, attachment to the Constitution, and the Oath).
3. Keep studying civics for the test version that matches your filing date. Policy Manual updates about denaturalization referrals do not rewrite the 128-question bank.

Citizenship obtained through a lawful process is durable. Revocation is a serious, court-based remedy aimed at illegal or fraudulent naturalization — not a routine “do-over” of the interview for people who passed honestly.

Civics-test connection (study hooks)

Court review of citizenship status connects to civics topics you may see on the 2025 test:

• Rule of law — Q13: What is the rule of law?
• Separation of powers — Q15: There are three branches of government. Why?
• The Supreme Court as the highest court — Q52 and Chief Justice John Roberts — Q57
• Promises in the Oath of Allegiance — Q67
• How people become U.S. citizens — Q68

(Question numbers follow the 2025 128-question bank used on CitizenExams.)

Bottom line

USCIS’s September 14, 2026 Policy Alert clarifies how and which cases the agency prioritizes for denaturalization referrals. It is effective now, and public feedback on the Policy Manual update has been discussed in secondary reporting with a window extending into mid-October 2026 — but the alert itself took effect immediately. It does not change the 2025 128-question civics test, Form N-400 study materials, or the basic rule that revocation of naturalization requires a judicial process.

This post summarizes public USCIS materials for educational context. It is not legal advice. For your own case, use uscis.gov or a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.

Official sources

1. USCIS, Policy Alert PA-2026-13 (PDF) (September 14, 2026)
2. USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part L — Loss of U.S. Nationality and Revocation of Naturalization
3. USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part L, Chapter 2 — Revocation of Naturalization (grounds, referrals, burden of proof)
4. USCIS, Policy Manual Updates
5. USCIS, Study for the Test (2008 vs 2025 civics rules)
6. USCIS, Check for Test Updates

Study these related questions

• Rights and Responsibilities — citizenship duties and the Oath
• System of Government — courts and branches
• Oath of Allegiance — promises new citizens make
• Free scored practice test — 20 questions from the 128-question 2025 bank