Can a Natural-Born U.S. Citizen Be Exiled or Stripped of Citizenship?
In democracies that value due process and human rights, citizenship is a fundamental right, not a privilege to be revoked. Yet many people still wonder: Can a natural-born U.S. citizen be exiled or stripped of their citizenship?
The short, definitive answer is: No—a natural-born citizen cannot be legally exiled or have their citizenship involuntarily revoked. Not even for the most serious crimes.
Let’s break down why that is, what the law says, and explore the rare edge cases and misconceptions.
🔒 What Does "Natural-Born Citizen" Mean?
Under U.S. law, a natural-born citizen is someone who:
Was born in the United States or its territories, or
Was born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent (under certain legal requirements)
Once acquired, natural-born citizenship is permanent and constitutionally protected.
⚖️ Why Natural-Born U.S. Citizens Cannot Be Exiled
1. The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States… are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
This establishes birthright citizenship as a guaranteed right that cannot be revoked by the government.
2. Supreme Court Rulings
🧑⚖️ Trop v. Dulles (1958)
This landmark case involved a U.S. Army soldier who deserted during World War II and later had his citizenship revoked. The Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional:
“Citizenship is not a license that expires upon misbehavior. Exile or denationalization is a cruel and unusual punishment.”
The ruling reinforced that even those guilty of treason or desertion retain their citizenship and cannot be banished.
🧑⚖️ Afroyim v. Rusk (1967)
In this case, a naturalized U.S. citizen voted in an Israeli election and was told he had "lost" his U.S. citizenship. The Court ruled:
“The government has no power under the Constitution to strip Americans of their citizenship involuntarily.”
Together, these rulings ensure that U.S. citizens—whether natural-born or naturalized—cannot be exiled without voluntarily giving up their status.
🚫 Can a Natural-Born Citizen Be Exiled for Crimes Like Terrorism or Treason?
Even for crimes like:
Terrorism
Espionage
Mass murder
Insurrection
Treason against the United States
A natural-born citizen can:
Be arrested
Be prosecuted and imprisoned
Even be sentenced to life in prison or death
…but they cannot be exiled or expelled from the country. Exile is considered a punishment inconsistent with constitutional protections.
🛂 Can the Government Deny a Natural-Born Citizen Reentry?
No. The government cannot legally deny reentry to a U.S. citizen—even if:
They're on a no-fly list
They've lived abroad for years
Their passport was revoked for child support arrears or national security grounds
Your right to enter the country as a citizen is absolute, even if the government has restricted your ability to travel easily.
⚠️ What About Citizenship Revocation?
There’s a common myth that the U.S. government can “strip” your citizenship. In reality:
✅ Citizenship can be revoked (via denaturalization) for:
Naturalized citizens only (not natural-born)
Fraud or lies on a citizenship application
Involvement in genocide, terrorism, or war crimes before naturalization
But for natural-born citizens, there is no legal mechanism for involuntary revocation.
❓ What’s the Only Way a Natural-Born Citizen Can Lose Citizenship?
The only way is through voluntary renunciation.
This must be:
Done abroad at a U.S. consulate or embassy
A formal, sworn renunciation
Approved by the U.S. State Department
It must be deliberate and voluntary. Criticizing the U.S., moving overseas, or joining a foreign group does not result in automatic loss of citizenship.
🔄 Can the U.S. Deport a Natural-Born Citizen?
Absolutely not.
Deportation is only legal for non-citizens (e.g. visa holders, green card holders, undocumented immigrants).
A natural-born U.S. citizen:
Cannot be deported
Cannot be banned from reentry
Cannot be transferred to another country without consent
🧠 Final Takeaway
Here’s a breakdown of what the U.S. government can and cannot do to a natural-born citizen:
❌ Revoke citizenship – Not legal under any circumstances
❌ Exile or banish – Unconstitutional
❌ Deny reentry into the U.S. – Illegal, even with national security concerns
✅ Prosecute and imprison – Fully legal
✅ Voluntarily renounce citizenship – Allowed, but must be intentional and formal
✅ Restrict passports or travel – Possible in rare situations (e.g. felony warrants, child support, national security)
📌 Conclusion
In a time when questions about citizenship, loyalty, and punishment are debated in the political sphere, it’s essential to remember this truth:
If you were born a U.S. citizen, your citizenship is your right—not a privilege the government can take away.
Whether you love your country, criticize it, or even commit crimes against it—you cannot be exiled from the land of your birth.