Weaponizing Ancestry: The Threat of Genealogical Data in Citizenship Challenges
Stephen Miller, the scum, plotting in the back room of his Nazi bunker.
Abstract
This article explores the potential misuse of genealogical data by private entities and government agencies to challenge the citizenship status of individuals in the United States. Focusing on Blackstone’s acquisition of Ancestry.com and the Trump administration’s denaturalization efforts, it examines how historical inaccuracies in naturalization records could be weaponized to revoke citizenship, particularly targeting political dissidents and marginalized communities. The discussion includes an analysis of the legal framework, political climate, and ethical implications of such actions.
Introduction
The intersection of private data ownership and governmental authority has raised concerns about the potential for misuse of personal information. In 2020, Blackstone Group Inc. acquired Ancestry.com, a leading online family history business, for $4.7 billion (Blackstone, 2020). This acquisition granted Blackstone access to extensive genealogical and DNA data of millions of individuals. Concurrently, the Trump administration initiated efforts to scrutinize and, in some cases, revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans, a process known as denaturalization (American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU], 2018). This article examines the plausibility of using genealogical data to retroactively challenge citizenship status, especially in light of recent political developments.
Blackstone’s Acquisition of Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com is the world’s largest provider of DNA services, allowing customers to trace their genealogy and identify genetic health risks through home-based tests (Reuters, 2020). The company’s database includes over 30 billion historical records and has sold approximately 18 million DNA kits to customers as of 2022 (Ancestry.com, 2022). Blackstone’s acquisition of a majority stake in Ancestry.com has raised questions about data privacy and the potential for misuse of sensitive genetic information (Fox 16, 2024).
Denaturalization Efforts Under the Trump Administration
Historically, denaturalization was a rare legal process reserved for extreme cases, such as individuals who concealed involvement in war crimes. However, the Trump administration significantly expanded denaturalization efforts. In 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) established a dedicated section to handle denaturalization cases, focusing on individuals suspected of fraudulently obtaining citizenship (Immigrant Legal Resource Center [ILRC], 2019). Between 2017 and 2018, the DOJ filed numerous denaturalization cases, marking a sharp increase from previous years (American Constitution Society [ACS], 2018).
Potential Misuse of Genealogical Data
The combination of extensive genealogical data and aggressive denaturalization policies presents a potential risk for misuse. Historical naturalization records often contain inaccuracies or omissions, as immigrants may have provided incorrect information due to language barriers or fear of persecution. For instance, some immigrants listed their last place of residence instead of their birthplace on naturalization forms. Such discrepancies could be used as grounds for denaturalization if authorities choose to interpret them as intentional fraud.
The availability of detailed family histories through platforms like Ancestry.com could enable the government to identify and target individuals based on ancestral records. This approach could disproportionately affect political dissidents, activists, and marginalized communities, using historical inaccuracies as a pretext for revoking citizenship.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, stating that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens. Revoking citizenship based on historical inaccuracies challenges this constitutional protection and raises significant legal and ethical concerns. The expansion of denaturalization efforts and the potential use of private genealogical data for such purposes could lead to a climate of fear and discourage lawful permanent residents from pursuing naturalization (ILRC, 2019).
Moreover, the ethical implications of using private data for governmental actions are profound. Individuals who submitted their DNA to Ancestry.com did so with the expectation of exploring their heritage, not anticipating potential legal consequences. The potential for data sharing between private companies and government agencies without explicit consent undermines trust and raises questions about data ownership and privacy rights.
Recent Developments
In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14160, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” aiming to challenge the prevailing interpretation of the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and end birthright citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants and temporary visa holders (Miroff & Sacchetti, 2025). This executive order has been met with multiple legal challenges and has been blocked by several federal judges, citing constitutional violations (Raymond & Brittain, 2025).
Conclusion
The convergence of private genealogical data ownership and expanded governmental denaturalization efforts presents a plausible risk of citizenship challenges based on historical record inaccuracies. The actions of the Trump administration, including recent executive orders and the establishment of dedicated denaturalization units, underscore the potential for such misuse. It is imperative to address the legal and ethical implications of these developments to protect the rights of naturalized citizens and maintain public trust in both governmental institutions and private data custodians.
References
American Civil Liberties Union. (2018). Trump administration’s plan to strip citizenship from thousands of Americans. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/documents/trump-administrations-plan-strip-citizenship-thousands-americans
American Constitution Society. (2018). Trump administration seeks to strip more people of citizenship. Retrieved from https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/trump-administration-seeks-to-strip-more-people-of-citizenship/
Ancestry.com. (2022). About Ancestry: Company facts. Retrieved from https://www.ancestry.com/corporate/about-ancestry/company-facts
Blackstone. (2020). Blackstone to acquire Ancestry®, leading online family history business, for $4.7 billion. Retrieved from https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/blackstone-to-acquire-ancestry-leading-online-family-history-business-for-4-7-billion/
Fox 16. (2024). Axios Security Group addresses Blackstone’s acquisition of Ancestry.com and concerns over genetic data access. Retrieved from https://www.fox16.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/728812185/axios-security-group-addresses-blackstones-acquisition-of-ancestry-com-and-concerns-over-genetic-data-access/
Immigrant Legal Resource Center. (2019). Denaturalization: Understanding the new Department of Justice initiative. Retrieved from https://www.ilrc.org/denaturalization-understanding-new-department-justice-initiative
Miroff, N., & Sacchetti, M. (2025). Federal courts block Trump’s latest executive order on birthright citizenship. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
Raymond, C., & Brittain, J. (2025). Legal challenges mount against Trump’s new citizenship policies. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
Reuters. (2020). Blackstone buys Ancestry.com in $4.7 billion deal. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-blackstone-ancestry-idUSKCN2512PY
