U.S. Department of Justice Prioritizes Denaturalization of Naturalized Citizens Involved in Specific Crimes

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a directive emphasizing the prioritization of denaturalization proceedings against naturalized citizens who have committed specific offenses. This policy shift underscores the DOJ's commitment to upholding the integrity of the naturalization process and ensuring that citizenship is not obtained through fraudulent means.

In a memorandum dated June 11, 2025, Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate outlined the DOJ's renewed focus on denaturalization cases. The memo specifies ten categories of offenses that warrant such action, including:

- War crimes  

- Terrorism  

- Gang affiliation  

- COVID-19 and Medicaid/Medicare fraud  

- Human trafficking  

- Sex offenses  

- Violent crimes  

- Financial fraud  

- Healthcare fraud  

- Misrepresentation or omission of material information during the naturalization process

One notable case illustrating this policy is that of Elliott Duke, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from the United Kingdom. Duke was convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material, a crime committed prior to obtaining U.S. citizenship. The DOJ filed a civil case seeking Duke's denaturalization based on the conviction and the failure to disclose this criminal history during the naturalization process. A judge ordered the revocation of Duke's citizenship in June 2025, rendering him stateless and highlighting the real-world implications of the DOJ's directive.

Implications and Reactions

The DOJ's policy has sparked debate among legal scholars, immigration advocates, and civil rights organizations. Critics argue that the approach may create a two-tiered system of citizenship, where naturalized citizens are subject to different standards and face the risk of losing their status, potentially infringing upon constitutional rights. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for misuse of the policy to target individuals based on political views or other non-criminal factors.

Supporters of the policy contend that it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the naturalization process and to ensure that individuals who have committed serious offenses or obtained citizenship through deceit are held accountable.

The DOJ's directive to prioritize denaturalization proceedings marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy, with far-reaching implications for naturalized citizens in the United States. As the department moves forward with this initiative, ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges are expected to shape the future application and scope of denaturalization efforts.