In late June and early July 2025, a leaked Department of Justice (DOJ) memo revealed a significant shift in immigration enforcement — naturalized U.S. citizens who commit certain crimes may now be targeted for civil denaturalization, making citizenship revocable and opening the door to deportation.

What the DOJ Memo Says:

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, head of the DOJ’s Civil Division, issued a June 11 memo directing U.S. attorneys to prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization for naturalized citizens who commit crimes, threaten national security, or obtained citizenship fraudulently .
Targeted categories include individuals convicted of violent or national-security-related crimes, gang and drug offenses, fraud, human rights abuses, war crimes, or terrorism .

Expansion from Previous Terms

This marks a notable intensification compared to earlier efforts:

During Trump’s first term, the DOJ created a “Denaturalization Section” and increased denaturalization cases — by 2020 accounting for roughly 40% of 228 DOJ actions since 2008 .
Critics say the current policy could lead to the creation of a second‑class citizenship, with fewer rights for naturalized immigrants.

Civil vs. Criminal Proceedings

The memo clarifies that these are civil proceedings, not criminal trials — meaning affected individuals lack the right to an attorney at government expense. This raises concerns about due process.

Political Pressure and Broader Agenda

While framed as targeting serious criminals, the policy aligns with Trump’s larger immigration crackdown:

It dovetails with his January executive order to end birthright citizenship, currently stalled in court .
It reflects a broader strategy including deporting legal residents and detaining U.S. citizens, especially from marginalized communities ().

Civil Liberties at Stake

Legal experts and advocacy groups warn denaturalization risks:

Due process violations — civil proceedings may lack adequate constitutional protections.
Discriminatory targeting — low-income immigrants may struggle to defend themselves, leading to racialized implementation .
Threats to democratic inclusion — stripping naturalized citizens of citizenship revokes their right to vote, access civic life, and claim legal protections.

Final Thoughts

The DOJ memo, dating to June 11, 2025, signals a sharp escalation in Trump’s immigration agenda — moving from detaining noncitizens to potentially revoking citizenship of Americans. While proponents argue it targets fraud and serious threats, critics see an end-run around constitutional protections with deep implications for race equity, civil liberties, and the meaning of citizenship.

As legal and political challenges unfold, the fundamental question remains: Can citizenship truly be revoked without undermining due process and equal protection?