Trump admin revokes naturalized citizens’ citizenship over crime
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department recently directed U.S. attorneys to “prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings” to “revoke the citizenship” of individuals connected to crime and individuals who “illegally procured” naturalization.
In a memorandum sent to all Civil Division employees on June 11, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate explained that the Civil Division had been directed by the president and by Attorney General Pam Bondi to advance the Trump administration’s policy objectives through the use of its “enforcement authorities.”
Shumate stated, “The Department of Justice may institute civil proceedings to revoke a person’s United States citizenship if an individual either ‘illegally procured’ naturalization or procured naturalization by ‘concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.’”
“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; to remove naturalized criminals, gang members, or, indeed, any individuals convicted of crimes who pose an ongoing threat to the United States; and to prevent convicted terrorists from returning to U.S. soil or traveling internationally on a U.S. passport,” Shumate added.
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In the recent memorandum to all Civil Division employees, Shumate emphasized that the department should “prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence.”
Shumate listed 10 categories of priorities for denaturalization cases under the Trump administration, including individuals who present a “potential danger to national security,” individuals who engaged in war crimes or human rights violations, individuals connected to criminal gangs or drug cartels, individuals who committed felonies that were not disclosed as part of the naturalization process, and individuals involved in human trafficking, violent crime, or sex offenses.
Other categories prioritized for denaturalization proceedings include individuals who committed financial fraud against the United States, individuals who committed fraud against private corporations or private individuals, and individuals who obtained naturalization by government fraud or corruption.
