Something MAJOR Just Changed in U.S. Citizenship Policy

Social Security card and green card on flag.

President Trump’s DOJ is prioritizing the revocation of citizenship from naturalized Americans who committed fraud, serious crimes, or terror acts—finally enforcing the rule of law after years of lax oversight.

Story Highlights

DOJ’s June 2025 memo elevates denaturalization to a civil enforcement priority targeting terrorists, human-rights abusers, gang leaders, and fraudsters.
USCIS’s August 2025 policy tightens good moral character reviews, increasing referrals for post-naturalization misconduct.
Builds on Trump-era initiatives like Operation Janus, restoring rigorous integrity to citizenship after Biden’s softened approach.
Cases remain rare but focus on threats to national security and public safety, upholding American values of law and order.

DOJ Formalizes Denaturalization Priorities

DOJ Civil Division issued its June 2025 enforcement memorandum directing attorneys to prioritize civil denaturalization under INA § 340. Federal prosecutors target cases involving terrorism, national security risks, human-rights violations, serious violent crimes, organized gang or cartel activity, and large-scale fraud schemes. Civil Division coordinates with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and DHS agencies to identify and pursue these high-priority matters. This policy restores emphasis on immigration law integrity, protecting American communities from concealed dangers.

USCIS Tightens Moral Character Standards

USCIS released its August 15, 2025, policy memorandum titled “Restoring a Rigorous, Holistic GMC Evaluation Standard.” The guidance mandates closer scrutiny of criminal histories, fraud indicators, and security flags during naturalization. Post-naturalization derogatory information now triggers referrals to DOJ for revocation proceedings. This addresses weaknesses exploited under prior lax standards, ensuring citizenship reflects true commitment to American principles of lawfulness and security.

Historical Context and Legal Foundations

Denaturalization authority stems from longstanding INA § 340 (8 U.S.C. § 1451), allowing revocation when citizenship was illegally procured or obtained through willful material misrepresentation. Civil suits proceed in federal court, while criminal convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 1425 trigger automatic revocation. Only naturalized citizens face this; birthright citizens enjoy permanent protection. Courts demand clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence, maintaining due process safeguards. Trump’s first term advanced this through dedicated units and operations like Janus, identifying fraud cases.

Biden’s administration disbanded the specialized section but continued select cases. The 2025 memos build on 2017’s Supreme Court Maslenjak ruling, which requires materiality for false statements, shifting focus to civil actions for stronger enforcement.

Targeted Enforcement Against Real Threats

DOJ specifies priorities: terrorism, human-rights abusers, trafficking, sex offenses, gang leadership, and immigration fraud schemes. USCIS referrals rise for post-naturalization crimes or fraud indicators. Military veterans naturalized after 2003 risk revocation if dishonorably separated after short service. Families may face collateral impacts if derived status ties to the principal’s fraud. Though numerically rare amid millions of naturalizations, each case safeguards America from those who lied to gain privileges.

Advocacy groups voice due process concerns, but facts show targeted application to egregious conduct upholds equal justice under law. Naturalized citizens built lives honestly face no threat; this policy deters abuse, echoing conservative commitments to secure borders and accountable citizenship.