How US Targets Green Card Holders for Citizenship Revocation

Key Takeaways

• June 11, 2025, DOJ Memo prioritizes denaturalization for naturalized citizens with serious crimes or security risks.
• USCIS referrals to DOJ jumped from 11 yearly cases to 1,600 in 2018, continuing under Trump administration.
• Denaturalization includes crimes, procedural errors, undisclosed records; applicants face tougher background checks and longer processing.

Recent changes in United States 🇺🇸 immigration enforcement have brought denaturalization—the process of revoking U.S. citizenship from naturalized citizens—into sharp focus. These changes, driven by a new DOJ Memo under the Trump administration, have significant implications for green card holders, naturalized citizens, and anyone with a stake in U.S. immigration policy. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, the timeline for these changes, what actions may be required, and the broader impact on pending and future citizenship applications.

Summary of What Changed

On June 11, 2025, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate issued a DOJ Memo instructing U.S. attorneys to make denaturalization cases a top priority. This memo specifically targets naturalized citizens who have committed certain serious crimes or are seen as threats to national security. The Trump administration’s approach marks a clear shift from previous years, where denaturalization was rare and used mostly in cases of clear fraud or criminal activity during the naturalization process.

Key changes include:

• Expanded focus on denaturalization: The DOJ is now actively seeking to revoke citizenship from individuals involved in crimes such as war crimes, human trafficking, terrorism, extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, financial fraud, and gang activity.
• Lower threshold for investigation: The DOJ will also pursue cases where there are procedural errors or undisclosed criminal records during the naturalization process, not just cases of outright fraud or terrorism.
• Increased referrals and prosecutions: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to refer more cases to the DOJ for prosecution, with a significant jump from an average of 11 cases per year (1990-2017) to a planned 1,600 referrals in 2018, a trend that continues under the Trump administration.

Who Is Affected

The new policy affects several groups:

• Naturalized U.S. citizens: Anyone who became a citizen through the naturalization process, especially those with past criminal records, undisclosed facts, or procedural mistakes in their application.
• Green card holders: While green card holders are not directly subject to denaturalization (since they are not yet citizens), the increased scrutiny may affect their future naturalization applications. Any errors or omissions in their application history could be grounds for future denaturalization if they become citizens.
• Applicants with pending naturalization cases: Individuals currently applying for citizenship may face more detailed background checks and investigations. Any mistakes or omissions, even if unintentional, could lead to future problems.
• Immigrant families and communities: The policy creates uncertainty and fear among immigrant communities, as the security of citizenship is now seen as less permanent.

Effective Dates and Timeline

The DOJ Memo was issued on June 11, 2025, and its directives took effect immediately. U.S. attorneys across the country have been instructed to prioritize denaturalization cases from that date forward. The Trump administration’s broader focus on denaturalization began earlier, with a noticeable increase in cases and referrals since 2018.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are a naturalized citizen or a green card holder considering citizenship, it is important to take the following steps:

1. Review your naturalization application: Make sure all information provided during your application was complete and accurate. If you discover any errors or omissions, consult an immigration attorney for advice.
2. Check your criminal record: If you have any past criminal convictions or arrests, even if they were minor or occurred outside the United States 🇺🇸, seek legal advice to understand your risk.
3. Keep documentation: Maintain copies of all documents submitted during your naturalization process, including Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization), which can be found on the official USCIS Form N-400 page.
4. Respond promptly to government inquiries: If you receive any communication from USCIS or the DOJ regarding your citizenship status, respond quickly and consult a qualified immigration attorney.
5. Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources such as the USCIS website for the latest information on denaturalization policies and procedures.

Legal Basis for Denaturalization

Denaturalization is not new, but the grounds for it are now being applied more broadly. Under U.S. law, citizenship can be revoked if it was “illegally procured” or if there was “concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation” during the naturalization process. This means that if someone lied, omitted important information, or committed fraud when applying for citizenship, the government can take legal action to revoke their citizenship.

The DOJ Memo under the Trump administration expands the types of cases that will be pursued, including:

• Crimes committed before or after naturalization: If these crimes would have made the person ineligible for citizenship, they can be grounds for denaturalization.
• Procedural errors: Even mistakes or omissions that were not intentional can be investigated if they are considered “material” to the naturalization decision.
• National security concerns: Individuals who are seen as threats to the United States 🇺🇸, including those involved in terrorism or organized crime, are a top priority.

Step-by-Step Denaturalization Process

The process of denaturalization follows several key steps:

1. Identification of grounds: The government identifies possible reasons for denaturalization, such as fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal activity.
2. Investigation: The DOJ investigates the individual’s background and gathers evidence.
3. Filing of charges: If there is enough evidence, the DOJ files civil charges in federal court.
4. Court proceedings: The case goes to court, where the government must prove its case. The individual has the right to defend themselves.
5. Judicial decision: A judge decides whether to revoke citizenship based on the evidence.

If citizenship is revoked, the individual may become subject to removal (deportation) from the United States 🇺🇸.

Implications for Pending Applications

For those with pending naturalization applications, the new policy means:

• More detailed background checks: USCIS may look more closely at your history, including any criminal records or past immigration violations.
• Longer processing times: Increased scrutiny could slow down the approval process.
• Greater risk of denial: Even small mistakes or omissions could lead to denial or future denaturalization proceedings.

If you are in the process of applying for citizenship, it is wise to double-check your application and consult with an immigration attorney if you have any concerns.

Practical Implications and Concerns

The expanded focus on denaturalization has several practical effects:

• Sense of insecurity: Many naturalized citizens now feel their status is less secure than that of U.S.-born citizens. This has led to anxiety and fear in immigrant communities.
• Two-tiered citizenship: Advocates warn that the policy could create a system where naturalized citizens are treated differently from those born in the United States 🇺🇸, undermining the idea of equal citizenship.
• Legal challenges: Critics argue that aggressive denaturalization efforts could violate due process rights and the protections of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law.
• Potential for targeting: Some worry that the policy could be used to target specific groups or individuals based on political views, affiliations, or other factors unrelated to national security.

Expert Analysis and Multiple Perspectives

Immigration attorneys, such as Rosanna Berardi, point out that while denaturalization has always been possible, the DOJ Memo signals a much more aggressive approach. The Trump administration’s policy goes beyond traditional grounds like terrorism or war crimes and now includes cases involving undisclosed criminal records or even procedural errors.

Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates have raised strong concerns. They argue that the new policy could be used to unfairly target certain groups, undermine the security of citizenship, and chill free speech or political activity. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes could have a lasting impact on how naturalized citizens are viewed and treated in the United States 🇺🇸.

On the other hand, the government’s perspective is that denaturalization is a necessary tool to protect national security and uphold the integrity of the immigration system. The DOJ argues that individuals who obtained citizenship through fraud or who pose a threat to the country should not be allowed to keep their status.

Statistics and Trends

The numbers show a clear shift in policy:

• From 1990 to 2017, there were on average only 11 denaturalization cases per year.
• In 2018, USCIS planned to refer 1,600 cases to the DOJ for prosecution, a dramatic increase.
• Under the Trump administration, this trend has continued, with more resources devoted to investigating and prosecuting denaturalization cases.

These statistics highlight the seriousness of the current policy and the increased risk for naturalized citizens with any issues in their application history.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the focus on denaturalization is expected to continue, with possible further legal challenges and policy changes. The courts may be asked to decide whether the new approach is consistent with constitutional protections and due process rights.

For immigrants and their families, this means staying informed and prepared is more important than ever. The increased risk of denaturalization could affect not only those with past criminal records or application errors but also anyone who may be targeted for other reasons.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Naturalized citizens should review their application history and seek legal advice if they have concerns about past mistakes or criminal records.
• Green card holders should be extra careful when applying for citizenship, ensuring all information is accurate and complete.
• Anyone facing denaturalization proceedings should consult an experienced immigration attorney immediately.
• Stay up to date with official information from the USCIS website and other government sources.
• Advocacy groups and legal organizations may offer support and resources for those affected by these changes.

For more information about the denaturalization process, including official forms and guidance, visit the USCIS Denaturalization page or consult with a qualified immigration attorney.

Conclusion

The DOJ Memo issued under the Trump administration marks a major change in how the United States 🇺🇸 approaches denaturalization. With a broader focus on crimes, procedural errors, and national security concerns, naturalized citizens now face greater scrutiny and risk. While the government argues that these steps are necessary to protect the country, critics warn of the dangers of creating a two-tiered system of citizenship and undermining civil liberties.

If you are a naturalized citizen, green card holder, or someone with a pending citizenship application, it is important to stay informed, review your records, and seek legal advice if needed. The landscape of U.S. citizenship is changing, and being prepared is the best way to protect your rights and your future in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

Denaturalization → The legal process of revoking U.S. citizenship from a naturalized citizen due to fraud or crimes.
DOJ Memo → An internal Department of Justice directive prioritizing denaturalization cases involving serious crimes or security threats.
Naturalization → The legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen after meeting requirements.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government agency managing immigration and naturalization applications.
Procedural Errors → Mistakes or omissions in the naturalization application that may affect citizenship validity.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump administration’s DOJ Memo escalates denaturalization efforts, targeting naturalized citizens with crimes or procedural errors, increasing prosecutions and affecting citizenship security nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com