Diaspora

Under Proposed Law, Holding Dual Citizenship Triggers US Citizenship Forfeiture

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A sweeping legislative proposal introduced by Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) aims to end the United States’ long-standing acceptance of dual citizenship, mandating that Americans hold allegiance exclusively to the United States. The “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025” has triggered a complex national debate, pitting ideals of undivided loyalty against constitutional protections and the realities of a globally connected populace.

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The bill would institute a prohibition on simultaneously holding U.S. and foreign citizenship. Under its core provisions, obtaining a foreign nationality would trigger the automatic forfeiture of U.S. citizenship. Current dual citizens would be given a one-year compliance window following enactment to formally renounce their foreign citizenship or voluntarily relinquish their American status. Non-compliance would result in automatic loss of U.S. citizenship.

To enforce this, the legislation tasks the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security with developing systems to track citizenship status and verify renunciations.

Senator’s Justification: “All or Nothing”
Senator Moreno, who renounced his own Colombian citizenship after naturalizing as a U.S. citizen, framed the proposal as a necessary clarification of national commitment. “I pledged an Oath of Allegiance to the United States and ONLY to the United States of America,” Moreno stated. “If you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing. It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.”

Proponents argue the measure would strengthen national security by eliminating potential conflicts of interest during international disputes, reinforce civic commitment, and align the U.S. with nations like China and India that prohibit dual citizenship.

Constitutional and Practical Hurdles Cited by Critics
Legal scholars and civil rights organizations have raised immediate and substantial objections, citing the 1967 Supreme Court precedent in Afroyim v. Rusk. That ruling established that the government cannot involuntarily strip citizens of their nationality, which can only be relinquished through voluntary renunciation.

“Compelling someone to renounce citizenship under duress of losing their American nationality is not truly voluntary,” noted constitutional law experts. Critics argue the bill’s mechanism of forced choice constitutes unconstitutional coercion.

Practical challenges are also daunting. The U.S. does not maintain a registry of dual citizens, with estimates of their numbers ranging from 500,000 to 5.7 million. Enforcement would require unprecedented international cooperation to verify renunciations and risk rendering some individuals stateless if their other country prohibits renunciation. Opponents further warn of disproportionate impacts on immigrant communities, potential family separations, and severe disruptions to individuals with businesses or property abroad.

Uncertain Path in Congress, Inevitable Court Challenges
As a proposal from a freshman senator, the Exclusive Citizenship Act faces a steep climb in a divided Congress. Its legislative prospects remain unclear. However, legal experts agree that should it pass, the act would face immediate and formidable court challenges based on the constitutional grounds outlined in Afroyim.

A Debate Over Modern American Identity
Beyond the legislative and legal fray, Senator Moreno’s bill has ignited a deeper national conversation. It forces a re-examination of whether American citizenship in the 21st century demands exclusive national allegiance or can accommodate the transnational connections of a globalized world. The debate underscores a fundamental tension between national sovereignty and individual liberty, setting the stage for a protracted contest over the very meaning of American identity.