Fact Check: DOJ Prioritizes Denaturalization for Naturalized Citizens Committing Crimes
What We Know
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has indeed taken steps to prioritize the denaturalization of individuals who have obtained U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means, particularly those who have committed serious crimes. A notable case involved Elliott Duke, who was denaturalized on June 13, 2025, after being convicted for distributing child sexual abuse material. Duke had fraudulently obtained his citizenship by failing to disclose his criminal activities during the naturalization process (Justice Department Secures Denaturalization of Convicted ...).
The DOJ has also established a dedicated Denaturalization Section within its Office of Immigration Litigation to handle these cases more effectively. This section aims to pursue individuals who have illegally obtained citizenship, including terrorists, war criminals, and sex offenders (The Department of Justice Creates Section Dedicated to ...). The DOJ has reported a success rate of 95% in denaturalization cases, indicating a strong commitment to this area of enforcement (The Department of Justice Creates Section Dedicated to ...).
Analysis
The claim that the DOJ prioritizes denaturalization for naturalized citizens committing crimes is supported by recent actions and statements from the department. The establishment of the Denaturalization Section reflects a strategic focus on cases involving serious offenses, as Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt stated, “When a terrorist or sex offender becomes a U.S. citizen under false pretenses, it is an affront to our system” (The Department of Justice Creates Section Dedicated to ...).
Furthermore, the DOJ's announcement on June 30, 2025, emphasized the prioritization of denaturalization cases involving naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes, reinforcing the department's commitment to holding accountable those who have obtained citizenship through deceit (DOJ announces plans to prioritize cases to revoke citizenship).
The credibility of these sources is high, as they originate from official DOJ announcements and reputable news outlets. The DOJ's own documentation and press releases provide direct insights into their policies and priorities, making them reliable sources for understanding the agency's actions.
Conclusion
The claim that the DOJ prioritizes denaturalization for naturalized citizens committing crimes is True. The establishment of a dedicated section within the DOJ for denaturalization cases, along with specific high-profile cases and public statements from DOJ officials, clearly indicates a focused effort to address citizenship fraud related to serious criminal activities.
