A federal judge has revoked the U.S. citizenship of a married Chinese couple following their conviction for stealing trade secrets from an Ohio children's hospital with intent to share the information with China.

The couple was found guilty of taking proprietary medical information from the pediatric medical facility, though specific details about the nature of the stolen secrets and the timeline of the theft were not immediately available.

The case represents part of ongoing federal efforts to address concerns about intellectual property theft, particularly involving medical and scientific research that could have national security implications.

The revocation of citizenship is a rare legal remedy that can be pursued in cases involving serious federal crimes committed by naturalized citizens. Such actions typically require proof that the citizenship was obtained fraudulently or that the individual engaged in conduct fundamentally incompatible with their citizenship oath.

The Justice Department has pursued numerous cases in recent years involving alleged theft of American trade secrets and research, with particular focus on cases involving foreign nationals and potential state-sponsored activities.