The United States federal government has issued a new directive empowering attorneys to begin revoking the citizenship of naturalised Americans involved in crimes or fraud.
A memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ), published June 11, urges attorneys to prioritise denaturalisation cases where individuals “illegally procured” their citizenship or used “willful misrepresentation.”
The directive applies to more than 25 million naturalised Americans.
The DOJ said civil denaturalisation is key to removing those who pose threats to national security or public safety.
“The benefits of civil denaturalization include the government’s ability to revoke the citizenship of individuals who engaged in the commission of war crimes, extrajudicial killings, or other serious human rights abuses,” the memo stated.
It also targets those convicted of terrorism, gang activities, drug crimes, and sex offences.
Human Trafficking, Financial Crimes Also on DOJ Radar
Other offences listed include human trafficking, sex crimes, violent assaults, and financial fraud.
Crimes like PPP loan fraud, Medicare and Medicaid scams, and other financial deceptions are being prioritised.
The DOJ also mentioned referrals stemming from ongoing criminal investigations, signalling a broad scope for enforcement.
The renewed attention to denaturalisation aligns with the Trump administration’s immigration views.
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that lower courts exceeded their authority by blocking Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship.
Although the Court didn’t determine if the order was legal, the ruling clears a path for further action.
The Migration Policy Institute estimates over 25 million naturalised Americans could now fall under scrutiny.
Officials say the goal is to ensure that U.S. citizenship is not exploited by individuals hiding serious crimes or links to security threats.
But the move has sparked fears among immigrant communities and legal experts who warn of potential misuse.
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