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BackDOJ files denaturalization actions against 40 individuals, including two convicted of espionage
DOJ files denaturalization actions against 40 individuals, including two convicted of espionage
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SCMP Economy1 hour agoCrime1 min readChina

DOJ files denaturalization actions against 40 individuals, including two convicted of espionage

denaturalizationespionagetrump administration

Quick Look

  • The Department of Justice has filed denaturalization proceedings against 40 people in what it calls the largest batch under the Trump administration, including Jinchao Wei and Ping Li.
  • Wei was convicted of espionage and export offenses in August 2025 and sentenced to 200 months in prison, though acquitted of naturalization fraud by the same jury.
  • The civil cases remain pending with no liability determination.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Department of Justice has initiated denaturalization proceedings against 40 individuals, describing it as the largest batch under the Trump administration. The cases against Jinchao Wei and Ping Li were filed in September and October 2025 respectively. Wei was previously convicted of espionage and export offenses in August 2025 and sentenced to 200 months in prison, though acquitted of naturalization fraud by the same jury.

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Jinchao Wei and Ping Li are among 40 people facing denaturalisation actions in what the department described as the largest batch of such filings under the Trump administration. The civil proceedings remain pending, with no determination of liability, the DOJ said.

The case against Wei was filed on September 30 in the Southern District of California, while the case against Li was filed on October 1 in the Middle District of Florida.

Wei was convicted of espionage and export offences in August 2025 and sentenced in January to 200 months in prison, or 16 years and eight months. But the same jury acquitted him of naturalisation fraud, according to the DOJ’s announcement of his sentence.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • The denaturalization cases against Jinchao Wei and Ping Li will proceed to trial or settlement

    Likely · Within months

  • Further denaturalization actions may be announced by the DOJ in the coming months

    Possible · Within months

Open Questions

  • What specific allegations form the basis of the denaturalization cases against the 40 individuals?
  • What evidence supports the denaturalization claims against Jinchao Wei and Ping Li?
  • When are the denaturalization proceedings expected to reach a determination?
  • Are other individuals among the 40 facing similar espionage-related charges?

Related Topics

denaturalization
PeopleJinchao WeiPing Li
OrganizationsDepartment of Justice
PlacesSouthern District of CaliforniaMiddle District of Florida
Topicsespionagetrump administrationdoJjinchao weiping lisouthern district of california
This article was originally published by SCMP Economy.

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