Trump administration prioritizes denaturalization of naturalized citizens

In the United States, the Justice Department issued a memo in June 2023, directing U.S. attorneys to prioritize the denaturalization of foreign-born citizens who pose potential risks, such as ties to terrorism or violent crimes. This initiative aims to remove individuals who have committed serious infractions, with an emphasis on civil proceedings instead of criminal ones, raising concerns over due process. Experts fear this approach could lead to abuse and arbitrary revocation of citizenship based on vague criteria, affecting millions of naturalized citizens who might be vulnerable to scrutiny and potential denaturalization over minor infractions or political activities. The DOJ's civil division received instructions to maximize denaturalization efforts against those engaged in human trafficking, sex offenses, or financial fraud, among other priorities. This reflects an escalation from previous practices and follows a history of denaturalization that dates back to the McCarthy era. The initiative has already targeted specific individuals, including recent cases involving Eugene Duke, convicted for distributing illicit materials, highlighting the administration's focus on tracking down criminals who obtained citizenship under questionable circumstances. Key legal scholars have voiced criticism regarding the constitutionality of these denaturalization proceedings. They argue that civil litigation circumvents the protections typically afforded in criminal trials, such as the right to an attorney and the higher burden of proof. The policy could create a second class of citizenship, wherein naturalized citizens live in fear of losing their citizenship for past actions that they believed had been reconciled with their legal status. The implications may suppress political engagement among naturalized citizens who might avoid participation due to fears of repurcussions. Overall, the expanding scope of denaturalization as outlined by the DOJ denotes a shift towards a more aggressive stance in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Critics emphasize that this could lead to a chilling effect on immigrant communities, as nearly 25 million naturalized citizens might confront uncertain futures as the government dilutes the security that citizenship typically guarantees. As denaturalization becomes more routine, longer-term citizens may face scrutiny based on retrospective assessments of their immigration histories, ultimately undermining the fundamental principles of American citizenship.