Here’s what Trump’s DOJ is planning to do now.
The Department of Justice under President Trump is launching a powerful new initiative to revoke U.S. citizenship from migrants who lied, committed crimes, or pose a threat to national security.
In a memo dated June 11, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate ordered DOJ staff to aggressively pursue denaturalization cases across the board—targeting illegal immigrants and foreign-born criminals who cheated the system to gain U.S. citizenship.
The memo directs the Civil Division to give top priority to pursuing denaturalization actions in every case allowed under the law.
This new policy is a cornerstone of Trump’s America First immigration enforcement, and it’s designed to protect American citizens from dangerous criminals and fraudsters who should have never been granted citizenship in the first place.
Who’s At Risk of Losing Their U.S. Citizenship?
According to the DOJ memo, 10 categories of offenders will be prioritized for denaturalization. These include:
- Terrorists and spies who threaten national security
- Members of violent gangs, drug cartels, and human trafficking rings
- Sex offenders and violent criminals
- COVID-19 fraudsters, including those who scammed PPP loans and Medicare/Medicaid
- Foreign nationals who lied on their naturalization forms
- Individuals who gained citizenship through bribery, corruption, or identity fraud
“These categories are intended to guide the Civil Division in prioritizing which cases to pursue,” Shumate said, while noting that any case deemed important could be pursued—even if it doesn’t fit neatly into the list.
One Citizenship Already Revoked: DOJ Acts Fast
Just two days after the memo was issued, the DOJ revoked the U.S. citizenship of Elliott Duke, a British national and former U.S. Army soldier.
Although Duke became a citizen in 2013, DOJ investigators uncovered that he was already involved in child exploitation crimes while stationed in Germany—a fact he intentionally concealed on his application.
He was stripped of his citizenship on June 13, as part of Operation Prison Lookout, a joint DOJ-ICE program focused on removing sex offenders who gained citizenship fraudulently.
“The laws intended to reward military service will not protect those who lie and commit crimes,” Shumate said. “The DOJ will find the truth and hold them accountable.”
Trump’s DOJ: Law and Order for American Citizens First
This crackdown is part of a larger list of DOJ Civil Division priorities under the Trump administration, including:
- Ending sanctuary cities
- Protecting women and children
- Fighting antisemitism
- Ending discriminatory practices
But denaturalization now ranks among the top 5 federal enforcement goals, with the clear aim of restoring trust and integrity in the U.S. immigration system.
President Trump’s message is clear: If you lied, cheated, or committed crimes to become a citizen—your time is up.
⚠️ BOTTOM LINE FOR AMERICANS 50+:
Your tax dollars are no longer going to protect criminal migrants. President Trump’s DOJ is cleaning house—revoking citizenship, deporting threats, and putting Americans first.