Fact Check: "25 million naturalized citizens now at risk of losing citizenship under new DOJ policy."
What We Know
The claim that "25 million naturalized citizens now at risk of losing citizenship under new DOJ policy" stems from a recent directive issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to a memo released on June 11, 2025, the DOJ is prioritizing denaturalization cases involving naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes, including national security violations and fraud against the government (NPR). The memo indicates that there are approximately 25 million naturalized citizens in the U.S. as of 2023 (NPR). The DOJ's new approach allows for broader discretion among attorneys to pursue denaturalization cases, which has raised concerns among immigration experts about the potential impact on these citizens and their families (The Guardian).
Analysis
The assertion that 25 million naturalized citizens are at risk of losing their citizenship is partially true. While the DOJ's new policy does indeed target naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes, it does not imply that all 25 million naturalized citizens are at immediate risk. The focus is on specific cases where individuals may have committed offenses that could warrant denaturalization.
Critics of the policy, including legal experts, have expressed concerns about its implications for due process and the potential for arbitrary enforcement (NPR). For example, the memo allows for denaturalization proceedings to occur through civil litigation, which differs from criminal proceedings in that individuals are not entitled to government-provided legal representation (NPR). This raises questions about fairness and the rights of those affected.
Furthermore, the language in the DOJ memo is broad, allowing for a wide interpretation of what constitutes a crime warranting denaturalization. Experts have noted that this vagueness could lead to the targeting of individuals based on ambiguous criteria, potentially creating a "second class of U.S. citizens" (NPR).
On the other hand, supporters of the policy argue that it is necessary to protect national security and uphold the integrity of U.S. citizenship (NPR). They contend that individuals who have committed serious crimes should face consequences, including the potential loss of citizenship.
Conclusion
The claim that 25 million naturalized citizens are at risk of losing their citizenship under the new DOJ policy is Partially True. While the DOJ has indeed prioritized denaturalization cases involving naturalized citizens, the risk is not uniformly applied to all 25 million individuals. Instead, it specifically targets those who have committed certain crimes. The potential for broad interpretation of the policy raises significant concerns about due process and the rights of naturalized citizens.
