By Isabella Torregiani
2:23pm PDT, Jul 1, 2025
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Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced it will begin prioritizing the revocation of U.S. citizenship for individuals charged with certain serious crimes. In a newly resurfaced memo, the agency outlined 10 specific categories of offenses that could trigger denaturalization — ranging from "war crimes" to COVID loan fraud.
Keep reading for a breakdown of the memo…MORE:
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Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate issued the memo, titled "Enforcement Priorities," to all members of the DOJ's Civil Division. "The Civil Division shall prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence," he wrote in the June 11 document. The memo also introduces a tiered system that categorizes which cases should be prioritized, aiming to "maintain the integrity of the naturalization system while simultaneously ensuring an appropriate allocation of resources."
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So, what crimes make the list? According to the Civil Division, they're targeting individuals whose actions are at odds with U.S. interests. This includes those who pose national security risks — such as individuals with ties to terrorism, espionage or the unlawful export of sensitive U.S. technology or information. Also included are those involved with criminal gangs, drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations, as well as individuals charged with human trafficking, s** offenses or violent crimes.
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The scope doesn't stop at violent or organized crime — white collar offenses are also fair game. The memo specifically cites fraud-related cases such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, Medicaid/Medicare fraud and schemes defrauding private individuals or corporations. Even if a crime doesn't fall into one of the 10 categories, the DOJ has left the door open. "Any other cases referred to the Civil Division that the Division determines to be sufficiently important to pursue" may also qualify. "These categories are intended to guide the Civil Division in prioritizing which cases to pursue," Brett Shumate clarified, "however, these categories do not limit the Civil Division from pursuing any particular case, nor are they listed in a particular order of importance."
