Fact Check: Trump's DOJ targets naturalized citizens for denaturalization over civil offenses.

Fact Check: "Trump's DOJ targets naturalized citizens for denaturalization over civil offenses"

What We Know

The claim that the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Donald Trump is targeting naturalized citizens for denaturalization over civil offenses is based on recent actions and directives from the DOJ. In June 2025, the DOJ announced a new memo prioritizing denaturalization cases involving naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes, indicating a shift in enforcement strategy towards these individuals (source-2). This memo allows district attorneys greater discretion in pursuing denaturalization, which can occur for various offenses, including civil ones (source-4).

The DOJ's new Denaturalization Section, created in 2020, was established to investigate and litigate cases where naturalization may have been obtained through fraud or misrepresentation (source-1). The section has successfully pursued cases against individuals involved in serious crimes, including terrorism and war crimes, but the current focus appears to extend to civil offenses as well.

Analysis

The DOJ's recent actions reflect a broader strategy to prioritize denaturalization proceedings, which has raised concerns among immigration law experts regarding the implications for due process and civil rights. Critics argue that civil denaturalization proceedings lack the protections afforded in criminal cases, such as the right to an attorney and a higher burden of proof for the government (source-2).

The memo from the DOJ indicates that denaturalization will be among the agency's top enforcement priorities, suggesting that the government may pursue cases based on civil offenses more aggressively than in the past (source-4). This has led to fears that individuals could be stripped of their citizenship for offenses that may not traditionally warrant such severe consequences.

While the DOJ's focus on denaturalization is not new, the current emphasis on civil offenses marks a significant shift. The legal framework allows for denaturalization if a naturalized citizen's status was "illegally procured" or based on misrepresentation (source-1). However, the application of this standard to civil offenses raises questions about the fairness and constitutionality of such actions.

Conclusion

The claim that Trump's DOJ is targeting naturalized citizens for denaturalization over civil offenses is Partially True. While the DOJ has indeed prioritized denaturalization cases, including those involving civil offenses, the full scope and implications of this policy are still unfolding. The focus on civil offenses represents a notable shift in enforcement strategy, which has raised significant legal and ethical concerns regarding due process and the rights of naturalized citizens.

Fact Check: Trump's DOJ targets naturalized citizens for denaturalization over civil offenses.