US to revoke citizenship of naturalised immigrants: 10 immigrant groups at risk

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially prioritised the revocation or “denaturalization”, of U.S. citizenship for naturalised immigrants under a controversial new policy. A Justice Department memo lays out expedited procedures targeting specific groups of naturalised Americans, sparking alarm among civil rights advocates and immigrant communities.

DOJ policy revocation of naturalised citizenship

A memo dated June 11, 2025, from Assistant Attorney-General Brett Shumate places “[prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings]” among the DOJ Civil Division’s top five enforcement actions. The directive focuses on individuals whose citizenship was obtained through fraud, concealment, or criminal activity, covering an estimated 25 Million naturalised U.S. immigrants.

This policy shift marks a departure from previous US norms, where denaturalization was rare and generally reserved for war criminals or extremists. Now, fast-tracked civil processes with reduced standards of proof could make citizenship revocation significantly easier.

10 immigrant groups at risk of having U.S. citizenship revoked

The memo identifies priority groups at risk of losing citizenship, The 10 immigrant groups at risk of losing U.S. citizenship are:

1. Individuals convicted of war crimes or acts of torture
2. Persons linked to terrorist activity or espionage
3. Members of organized criminal groups or violent gangs
4. Individuals involved in large-scale financial, tax, or insurance fraud
5. Naturalised persons who concealed prior deportation orders
6. Immigrants who misrepresented facts or used fake identities during naturalization
7. Persons engaged in human rights violations or abuses abroad
8. Individuals convicted of sex offenses or crimes against minors
9. Immigrants whose naturalisation was obtained through sham marriages or fraudulent asylum claims
10. Persons found lacking “good moral character” due to past convictions or undisclosed offenses

The wide net cast by these groups raises fears that citizenship could be stripped from law-abiding naturalised citizens with past technical infractions or minor offences.

Legal grounds for denaturalisation under U.S. law

Denaturalization hinges on several grounds: illegal procurement of citizenship (fraudulent documentation or misrepresentation), concealment of critical facts, or having committed serious crimes. Under INA § 340(a) and related statutes, any willful concealment of material facts that led to naturalisation may trigger revocation.

Importantly, the threshold of proof in these civil actions is lower than in criminal trials, and defendants are not entitled to government-appointed counsel. Critics say this tilts the system heavily against vulnerable immigrants with limited legal resources.

Impacts on naturalised immigrants and second-class citizenship fears

With some 25 Million naturalised citizens potentially affected, legal experts warn the policy creates a new “second class” of Americans. Removal of the right to citizenship can lead to deportation, statelessness, and disruption of lives, especially for families and those long integrated into American society.

Former Supreme Court ruling in Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) held that citizenship cannot be revoked without voluntary renunciation. However, the new DOJ memo challenges this precedent by emphasizing executive discretion and security concerns over constitutional protections.

Political context driving denaturalisation crackdown

This push is part of a broader “Trump administration immigration crackdown,” which includes limits on birthright citizenship and rollback of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Officials argue that denaturalization serves national security and upholds legal integrity.

However, civil rights advocates fear the policy could be exploited for political or ideological targeting. The inclusion of “good moral character” as a discretionary criterion could allow subjective interpretation of religious, political, or speech-based reasons for citizenship revocation.

What naturalised citizens and advocacy groups should know

Civil liberties organizations are urging immigrant communities to seek legal guidance and be aware of eligibility parameters in their naturalisation history. Transparency from the DOJ is being called for, along with judicial oversight to prevent misuse of denaturalization proceedings.

Immigrant rights groups plan to challenge the memo in federal court, citing due process violations and undermining of constitutional protections. Public awareness campaigns are also being organized to inform naturalised citizens of their rights and legal recourse.