Former President Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans, particularly those he deems as undermining domestic tranquility. This declaration follows the shooting of National Guard members in D.C. by an Afghan national. Trump stated that he would denaturalize individuals who “shouldn’t be here,” blaming the current administration for their presence. However, he acknowledged uncertainty regarding the extent of his authority to do so.
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Following the New York City mayoral election, Republican lawmakers expressed intentions to prevent Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani from assuming office, fueled by unsubstantiated claims regarding his citizenship. These detractors, including high-profile figures, have requested investigations into Mamdani’s naturalization process, accusing him of communist and “terrorist” ties without providing evidence. Immigration law experts assert that such accusations are flimsy, as the process of denaturalization requires clear proof of fraud or material misrepresentation. These experts emphasize that there is no credible evidence to support these claims, highlighting the rarity and high standards required for revoking a person’s citizenship.
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House Republicans are calling for a probe into NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s path to citizenship, potentially seeking his denaturalization. The investigation, spearheaded by Reps. Randy Fine and Andy Ogles, alleges that Mamdani, a naturalized citizen who immigrated from Uganda, made false statements during the citizenship process, including failing to disclose his association with the Democratic Socialists of America. Ogles has further cited Mamdani’s support for the “Holy Land Five,” and called him an antisemite, socialist, and communist. The Justice Department has neither confirmed nor denied any investigation.
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President Trump has publicly threatened to revoke the citizenship of comedian Rosie O’Donnell, signaling a further attempt to weaponize citizenship against his political opponents. This move is part of a broader pattern, as the administration is prioritizing a large denaturalization push, with Trump reportedly viewing naturalized and native-born citizens similarly when considering who might lose their citizenship. Trump has also floated the idea of targeting other individuals, such as a New York assemblyman, demonstrating a disregard for the First Amendment and constitutional values. This is in addition to the fact that Trump has openly challenged the 14th Amendment, by attempting to end birthright citizenship.
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Driven by the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration, the Justice Department is targeting naturalized citizens for denaturalization. The department’s memo outlines a focus on individuals who may have committed crimes after becoming citizens, expanding the scope of the law. Critics argue this move is overly broad, potentially allowing the administration to target a wide range of offenses. Historical cases, such as those involving Nazi collaborators, suggest a complex legal process and the importance of due process.
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The Department of Justice has signaled its intent to broaden the scope of denaturalization efforts, as indicated in a recent memo outlining enforcement priorities. The memo prioritizes cases involving individuals posing a potential national security threat, including those with alleged ties to terrorism, raising concerns about the potential for politically motivated targeting. This expansion could involve scrutinizing naturalized citizens for omissions on their citizenship applications based on broad interpretations of national security. Although legal challenges and Supreme Court precedents may limit the administration’s ability to carry out mass denaturalizations, the policy of fear could discourage political activism.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is making denaturalization a top priority, directing its attorneys to aggressively pursue cases against naturalized citizens who commit crimes. This initiative will focus on individuals who may have committed fraud or other violations, expanding the criteria for which crimes could result in a loss of citizenship. Immigration experts express serious concerns about the constitutionality of the effort, especially regarding its potential impact on naturalized citizens and their families. The government has indicated that it plans to pursue these cases through civil litigation, raising due process questions and fears of creating a second class of citizens.
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A recent Justice Department memo outlines the Trump administration’s prioritization of denaturalization for naturalized citizens who commit certain crimes or procured citizenship through fraudulent means. The memo targets the estimated 25 million naturalized U.S. citizens, identifying ten priority categories for denaturalization, including those involved in war crimes, serious human rights abuses, and criminal activities. Legal experts express concerns over the civil proceedings that lack the same legal protections as criminal cases. This policy shift coincides with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s involvement in ending DEI programs and other initiatives, while the division itself faces significant attrition of attorneys.
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The Justice Department is prioritizing the revocation of citizenship for naturalized citizens who commit crimes, expanding the criteria for denaturalization, and granting district attorneys wider discretion in pursuing these cases. This initiative, as stated in a recent memo, designates denaturalization as a top enforcement priority, potentially impacting millions of naturalized citizens. Immigration law experts have expressed serious concerns over the constitutionality of the initiative, particularly the reliance on civil litigation, which may compromise due process rights. This effort builds upon actions taken during previous administrations and is a continuation of actions taken by the Trump administration.
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The Trump administration’s approach to denaturalization has shifted. While initially focusing on those convicted of serious crimes, statements and actions now suggest a broader, potentially mass, effort targeting naturalized citizens. Republicans’ refusal to block ICE’s use of increased immigration enforcement funds for deporting US citizens further strengthens concerns. This expansion of denaturalization, facilitated by existing legal frameworks and digital data, could serve the MAGA agenda of creating a white Christian nationalist United States by removing those deemed undesirable. The lower burden of proof in civil denaturalization proceedings and lack of statute of limitations exacerbate these concerns.
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John Q. Hosedrinker