Fact Check: "25 million naturalized citizens could face citizenship revocation under new memo."
What We Know
The claim that "25 million naturalized citizens could face citizenship revocation under new memo" is rooted in a recent directive from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This memo, issued on June 11, 2025, emphasizes the DOJ's intention to prioritize denaturalization cases against naturalized citizens who have committed certain crimes, including national security violations and fraud against government programs (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship). According to the DOJ, there are approximately 25 million naturalized citizens in the United States, which provides context for the scale of the potential impact of this policy (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
Denaturalization can occur if it is proven that citizenship was obtained through illegal means or if the individual has committed specific crimes after naturalization (U.S. Naturalization Policy). The memo gives federal attorneys broader discretion in determining which cases to pursue, raising concerns about the vagueness of the criteria and its implications for due process (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
Analysis
The assertion that 25 million naturalized citizens could face citizenship revocation is partially true. While the DOJ's memo indicates a significant increase in the prioritization of denaturalization cases, it does not imply that all or even a substantial number of these citizens will face revocation. The memo specifically targets individuals who have committed crimes, thus limiting the scope to a subset of the naturalized population (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
Critics of the memo, including legal experts, have raised concerns about its constitutionality and the potential for abuse, particularly regarding the civil litigation process which does not guarantee legal representation for those facing denaturalization (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship). This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the process, as well as the broader implications for families of naturalized citizens, particularly children who may be affected if a parent's citizenship is revoked (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the DOJ memo being an official government document and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) providing nonpartisan information on naturalization policies (U.S. Naturalization Policy). However, the interpretation of the memo's implications varies among experts, indicating a need for caution in drawing definitive conclusions about the potential impact on all naturalized citizens.
Conclusion
The claim that "25 million naturalized citizens could face citizenship revocation under new memo" is partially true. While the DOJ's new directive does indeed prioritize denaturalization cases, it specifically targets individuals who have committed crimes, rather than suggesting that all naturalized citizens are at risk. The potential for revocation exists, but it is contingent upon specific legal criteria being met, thus limiting the immediate threat to the entire population of naturalized citizens.
