Green card holders who have obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization may now be at increased risk of losing it, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) intensifies its focus on denaturalization. A newly issued DOJ memorandum outlines denaturalization as one of the top five priorities for enforcement authorities, aimed at revoking citizenship where it was acquired illegally or through misrepresentation.
US Citizenship at Risk: DOJ Targets Tax Fraud in Denaturalization Push
Naturalization grants lawful permanent residents (LPRs), commonly known as green card holders, the legal right to become U.S. citizens if they meet specific requirements under U.S. law. However, denaturalization—the process of revoking citizenship—can occur if authorities find that individuals concealed material facts, made false statements, or committed fraud during the naturalization process. Historically, denaturalization was used against war criminals or national security threats.
The DOJ’s renewed push now includes tax fraud and income misreporting as potential grounds for citizenship revocation. For instance, Bloomberg Law highlighted a real case where a Houston woman, who had already completed the naturalization process, was targeted for denaturalization. She had pleaded guilty to underreporting income on her tax returns, received a $7,712 refund, served a 12-month sentence, and paid a fine. Despite having completed her sentence, the DOJ is now pursuing her citizenship revocation in a civil case.
Denaturalization Expands: Minor Offenses Now Threaten U.S. Citizenship
This signals a broader shift, where even non-violent offenses like tax discrepancies are now being considered grounds for stripping citizenship. Importantly, denaturalization can occur through civil proceedings, without criminal charges, if intentional misrepresentation is proven. The DOJ has identified 10 priority areas for denaturalization, alongside cases deemed important on a discretionary basis.
This development has raised concerns among naturalized citizens, as even small legal missteps or past errors could now trigger civil action and potential loss of U.S. citizenship.
Summary:
The U.S. Department of Justice has prioritized denaturalization, targeting naturalized citizens for offenses like tax fraud or misrepresentation. Even minor, non-violent offenses may now lead to citizenship revocation through civil cases. This shift has raised concerns, as green card holders risk losing U.S. citizenship over past legal missteps.
