DOJ memo outlines plans for ‘prioritizing denaturalization’ for certain crimes
The Justice Department has recently announced that it will prioritize revoking the US citizenship of individuals who have been charged with certain crimes. This decision was outlined in a memo issued by the agency earlier this month.
The memo, issued on June 11 by Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, instructed the Civil Division to prioritize and pursue denaturalization proceedings in cases permitted by law and supported by evidence. The Civil Division has established categories of priorities for denaturalization cases to ensure the integrity of the naturalization system and allocate resources appropriately.
The memo lists 10 categories of crimes that could lead to citizenship being stripped, including war crimes, COVID loan fraud, and crimes related to national security, terrorism, espionage, and unlawful export. Individuals involved in criminal gangs, transnational criminal organizations, drug cartels, and various forms of fraud will also be targeted for denaturalization.
Additionally, individuals who have committed human trafficking, sex offenses, violent crimes, or who have not disclosed previous felonies during the naturalization process may face denaturalization. Those who acquired citizenship through government corruption or misrepresentation are also subject to denaturalization proceedings.
The DOJ will prioritize cases that are deemed important and meet the threshold for denaturalization, regardless of the specific categories listed in the memo. Denaturalization is one of the top five enforcement priorities for the civil division, along with combatting discriminatory practices, ending antisemitism, protecting women and children, and ending sanctuary jurisdictions.
Since the issuance of the memo, at least one person has been denaturalized. Elliott Duke, a British national convicted of child pornography offenses, had his US citizenship revoked on June 13. Duke had obtained citizenship in 2013 after enlisting in the US Army, but it was later discovered that he had committed crimes prior to naturalization.
Duke’s denaturalization case was part of “Operation Prison Lookout,” an initiative by the DOJ and ICE to identify and prosecute sex offenders who fraudulently obtained US citizenship. Shumate emphasized that individuals who commit serious crimes before obtaining citizenship and lie about them during the naturalization process will be pursued by the Justice Department.
In conclusion, the Justice Department’s decision to prioritize denaturalization proceedings for individuals charged with certain crimes demonstrates a commitment to upholding the integrity of the naturalization system and ensuring that those who obtain citizenship through fraudulent means are held accountable.
