The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to strip citizenship from some naturalized Americans, following a Justice Department memo issued in late June 2025 that prioritizes denaturalization cases based on various alleged infractions.

This memo grants Justice Department attorneys broader discretion to pursue denaturalization cases, including instances of fraud and misrepresentation in immigration applications.

The memo outlines a wide range of conduct that could lead to denaturalization, from serious crimes like torture and human trafficking to vague criteria such as 'material misrepresentations' and individuals considered national security threats.

The strategy emphasizes civil procedures, which allow for quicker processing without the right to appointed legal counsel for the accused and a lower burden of proof compared to criminal cases.

Critics, including immigration law experts, have raised concerns about the constitutionality and due process implications of this approach, as individuals facing denaturalization do not have the right to an attorney.

Legal experts warn that the administration's actions could unjustly target individuals, especially given past rhetoric labeling critics as 'the enemy within' and controversial proposals regarding the deportation of American citizens.

Approximately 25 million naturalized citizens in the U.S. could be affected by this initiative, which includes ten priority categories for potential denaturalization.

The first notable case under this directive involved Elliott Duke, a military veteran whose citizenship was revoked for distributing child sexual abuse material prior to his naturalization.

Experts warn that this policy could lead to unintended consequences for families of naturalized citizens, particularly children who could lose citizenship if a parent's naturalization is revoked.

The denaturalization of Duke raises concerns about potential political repression reminiscent of the McCarthy era, as critics fear the broad discretion granted to federal authorities may lead to targeting individuals without clear justification.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate has identified denaturalization as a top enforcement priority for the DOJ's civil rights division, signaling a significant shift in the agency's focus.

While the memo indicates that naturalization eligibility criteria remain unchanged, enforcement will be more rigorous post-naturalization, fundamentally altering the landscape of U.S. citizenship.