The Department of Justice recently announced plans to focus on revoking the citizenship of individuals charged with specific offenses, as outlined in a memo sent earlier this month.
In a note issued on June 11, Assistant Brett Shumate emphasized the commitment of the civil division to fully pursue legal procedures related to citizenship revocation. This message highlighted the need to prioritize what they call “degeneration cases” to uphold the integrity of the naturalization process while ensuring efficient use of resources.
The agency has identified ten categories under which citizenship could be revoked, spanning serious crimes like war offenses to fraudulent activities related to COVID loans. Among the individuals targeted are those linked to national security threats, including acts of terrorism, espionage, and illegal exports that compromise sensitive U.S. technology and goods.
Additionally, those involved in illegal businesses, such as drug cartels or organized crime, will also be prioritized. Various forms of fraud, notably concerning Paycheck Protection Program loans and healthcare, are part of the memo’s focus. Other offenses include human trafficking and violent crimes.
Importantly, naturalized citizens who have previously concealed felonies during their naturalization process—or have obtained citizenship through corruption or misinformation—are also under scrutiny.
The DOJ has already taken action, successfully stripping one individual’s citizenship since the memo’s release. Elliot Duke, a British national convicted of child pornography offenses, lost his U.S. citizenship. Duke had been granted citizenship in 2013 after enlisting in the military, but investigations revealed he had been distributing illicit materials while stationed in Germany.
Shumate provided further context, stating that the civil division has the discretion to pursue cases even outside established priority categories. While these guidelines help the department decide which cases to tackle, they don’t restrict other potential cases.
In a broader context, the DOJ’s current priorities include combating discriminatory practices, addressing anti-Semitism, and advocating for the protection of women and children.
Looking ahead, the department has made a clear statement: they will not allow those who deceive the naturalization process to benefit from their crimes.
