The Justice Department has issued a directive for US attorneys to prioritize and aggressively pursue denaturalization proceedings, aligning with the Trump administration’s initiative to intensify crime deterrence efforts.

The memo from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate highlights that cases involving individuals who “pose a potential danger to national security,” including those linked to terrorism, espionage, or the illegal exportation of sensitive goods, technology, or information that threaten national security, are among the top priorities.

Shumate emphasized that the advantages of civil denaturalization include the government’s power to revoke citizenship from those involved in war crimes, extrajudicial killings, or severe human rights violations; to deport naturalized criminals, gang affiliates, or any convicted individuals who present a continuous threat to the U.S.; and to block convicted terrorists from re-entering the U.S. or using a U.S. passport for international travel.

“The Department of Justice may institute civil proceedings to revoke a person’s United States citizenship if an individual either ‘illegally procured’ naturalization or procured naturalization by ‘concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation,’” he added in the June 11 directive. 

Shumate wants the Justice Department to “prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence.”  (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

It also calls for attorneys to initiate cases against “individuals who further or furthered the unlawful enterprise of criminal gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and drug cartels” and “individuals who engaged in fraud against private individuals, funds, or corporations.” 

Overall, the memo lists ten priority categories for denaturalization. 

Assistant Attorney Brett Shumate speaks during the investiture ceremony for U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden April 13, 2018, at the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC.  (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Two days after issuing the memo, the Justice Department said it “secured the denaturalization of a convicted collector and distributor of child sexual abuse material.”