Naturalized Citizens Face New Uncertainties Amid Shifting Immigration Policies

Sat Nov 15 2025 09:54:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the United States experiences shifts in immigration policy under the Trump administration, naturalized citizens like Dauda Sesay express fears about their status and safety in the country they now call home.

Dauda Sesay, a Sierra Leonean refugee who became a U.S. citizen, reflects on the evolving perception of citizenship amidst changing immigration policies under President Trump. Naturalized citizens are now navigating fears of deportation and questioning at borders, as recent governmental actions suggest a crackdown on immigration and naturalization. The historical context of American citizenship reveals a recurring theme of inclusion and exclusion, raising concerns among naturalized Americans about the stability of their newly acquired rights.

NEW YORK (AP) — When Dauda Sesay first arrived in the United States after escaping civil war in Sierra Leone and spending nearly a decade in a refugee camp, he had no idea that he could become a citizen. However, he was told that following the rules and avoiding trouble could lead to citizenship, which would offer him protection. This understanding motivated him to apply for citizenship, believing it would forge a bond with his new home and provide him vital rights and responsibilities, including the ability to vote.

“When I raised my hand and took the oath of allegiance, I did believe that moment the promise that I belonged,” Sesay, now 44, recalls. He arrived in Louisiana over 15 years ago and currently advocates for refugee integration into American society.

However, recent political developments under President Donald Trump have cast doubts on this belief for Sesay and many other naturalized citizens. The growing push for increased deportations and attempts to redefine who can lay claim to America threaten to undermine the foundations of their citizenship. What was once viewed as secure protection now feels precarious.

Concerns Over Travel and Identity

Some naturalized citizens express anxiety about traveling, fearing complications upon return to the U.S. There are accounts of naturalized Americans being interrogated or detained by border agents, leading many to question if they should take precautions, such as locking down their phones for privacy. Others are hesitant to move within the country, given incidents where U.S. citizens were wrongly accused of being undocumented and detained.

For example, one citizen reported being detained on two occasions despite presenting his birth certificate, which should have confirmed his status. Sesay himself no longer travels domestically without his passport, despite having a REAL ID.

Reports of immigration enforcement actions, often executed by unidentified federal agents, have included U.S. citizens in their operations. One citizen has even filed a federal lawsuit after being detained by immigration officials.

Compounding these fears, the Justice Department recently announced plans to intensify denaturalization efforts for immigrants deemed a threat to national security or who have committed crimes. Trump has publicly threatened the citizenship of individuals such as Zohran Mamdani, a young democratic socialist who recently won the mayoral election in New York City.

As the climate shifts, some citizens are now unwilling to voice their concerns, fearing exposure to negative scrutiny. Community organizations found it difficult to locate naturalized citizens willing to speak openly about their experiences due to fear of repercussions.

Historical Context of Citizenship

The concept of citizenship in the United States has evolved significantly over time, with notable restrictions. The 1790 naturalization law specified citizenship for “free white persons” of good character, effectively excluding many groups. The 14th Amendment, which established birthright citizenship, emerged after the Civil War, yet subsequent laws imposed significant limits on immigration and naturalization.

For decades, Asians were barred from citizenship until the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act lifted racial exclusions. Still, there have been instances where citizenship rights were revoked, such as the 1923 Supreme Court case, U.S. vs. Bhagat Singh Thind, which denied citizenship to Indians based on racial criteria.

“Political power will sometimes simply decide that a group of people, or a person or a family isn’t entitled to citizenship,” Stephen Kantrowitz, a history professor, remarks. As a naturalized citizen, Sesay feels a sense of betrayal given the current circumstances.

“The United States of America — that’s what I took that oath of allegiance, that’s what I make commitment to,” he states. “Now, inside my home country, and I’m seeing a shift. Honestly, that is not the America I believe in when I put my hand over my heart.”