The Department of Justice has issued a memo encouraging attorneys to pursue denaturalization of naturalized citizens who commit crimes, including those with pending charges or connections to national security threats. This expanded policy has raised concerns about potential political targeting. Critics, like former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance, warn the vague language allows the government to strip citizenship for nearly anything, possibly including free speech or activism.
The policy has sparked debate after Florida AG James Uthmeier called for Rep. Ilhan Omar’s deportation over her criticism of a Trump-era military parade. Omar, a naturalized citizen, compared the event to actions under dictatorships. The memo also empowers the DOJ to pursue cases it deems “important,” heightening fears of politically motivated denaturalizations. President Trump and allies have made statements suggesting support for deporting critics, including Elon Musk and political candidates like Zohran Mamdani. Critics argue the policy erodes due process and could be used to silence dissent.
