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The Trump administration is taking a bold step to protect American sovereignty by targeting naturalized citizens who break the law, ensuring only those who respect the nation’s rules retain the privilege of citizenship.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo on June 11 directing attorneys to prioritize denaturalization for naturalized citizens who commit crimes. The memo focuses on the 25 million U.S. citizens born abroad, according to 2023 data.
It lists 10 priority categories for denaturalization, including those who illegally obtained citizenship or lied on immigration forms. The directive targets individuals involved in war crimes, extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, gang activity, or any crimes posing a threat to the US.
The memo states civil proceedings will be used, which do not require the government to provide an attorney or meet the same burden of proof as criminal cases. This approach streamlines the process to remove citizenship from those who violate the nation’s trust.
DOJ attorneys now have broader authority to pursue denaturalization in cases of financial or medical fraud, lying on immigration forms, or referrals from US attorneys’ offices.
The DOJ’s civil rights division leads this effort, aligning with President Trump’s broader agenda to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and other initiatives seen as undermining national unity. The division faces internal resistance, with 250 attorneys—70% of its lawyers—reportedly leaving between January and May 2025, according to NPR.
On June 13, a judge revoked the citizenship of Elliott Duke, a U.S. military veteran from the UK. Duke was convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material and failed to disclose this crime during naturalization. This case demonstrates the policy’s focus on removing dangerous individuals from the citizenry.
Immigration attorneys criticize the policy, claiming it creates a “second class of U.S. citizens,” as quoted by Sameera Hafiz, policy director of the Immigration Legal Resource Center, to NPR. Supporters argue it ensures accountability for those who exploit the immigration system.
The policy coincides with heightened immigration enforcement. The administration’s focus on border security and rule of law remains a priority, as evidenced by recent lawsuits against 15 Maryland district attorneys for blocking deportations.
