The United States government has initiated efforts to revoke U.S. citizenship from certain naturalised citizens through a newly surfaced Justice Department memo. This memo directs federal attorneys to prioritize denaturalisation for individuals who committed specific crimes or misrepresented information during their naturalisation process.

The memo, dated June 11, outlines civil proceedings against individuals who either “illegally procured” naturalisation or did so through “concealment of a material fact” or willful misrepresentation. Unlike criminal trials, those facing civil denaturalisation are not entitled to legal representation, and the government’s burden of proof is lower.

The move affects an estimated 25 million U.S. citizens who immigrated to the country after being born abroad. The memo lists ten priority categories for denaturalisation, focusing on individuals involved in serious crimes, including war crimes, extrajudicial killings, and gang-related activities.

Concerns have been raised by immigration attorneys about the implications of civil denaturalisation, which strips individuals of certain rights, including access to legal representation. Critics argue that it creates a “second class of U.S. citizens.”

The Justice Department’s civil rights division is reportedly undergoing significant changes, with many attorneys leaving the department. This shift has been accompanied by a series of controversies, including an investigation into the University of Virginia’s diversity programs.

In a recent case, Elliott Duke, a U.S. military veteran, had his citizenship revoked for failing to disclose a conviction for distributing child sexual abuse material during his naturalisation process.

This new focus on denaturalisation has raised concerns about the rights of naturalised citizens and the potential for misuse of the system as part of broader policy objectives.