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Recently, Bernie Moreno, a senator from Colombia, proposed the exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, that would ban dual citizenship for Americans. The bill would only permit United States citizens to hold single citizenship. The senator believes that U.S. citizens should not be permitted to have more than one citizenship, and they must be forced to choose whether to be a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country. Moreno had renounced his Colombian citizenship at age 18, after becoming an American citizen.
What Does Dual Citizenship Entail?
Having dual citizenship means that an individual is a citizen of two countries, or more in some instances. Many naturalized U.S. citizens still maintain the nationality of their birth country. However, approximately 22 percent of countries outlaw dual citizenship, including China, India, Indonesia, Monaco, Botswana, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Senegal, Tanzania, Congo, Cuba, Iran, and Japan.
What Are the Current Dual Citizenship Rules?
Currently, a naturalized U.S. citizen can continue to hold the citizenship of their birth country and any other country that allows their nationals to hold multiple citizenships. The United States recognizes dual citizenship and has never required citizens to renounce their other nationalities. U.S. citizens can also become citizens of other countries without issue, if they qualify. Now, the new Act would call for single citizenship only, to enforce undivided allegiance to the United States.
How Could Outlawing Dual Citizenship Impact You?
Under the proposed Act, the United States would join the list of countries that only permit single citizenship. If you are a citizen of another country, such as through birth or naturalization, you would have to formally renounce that citizenship to become a U.S. national. Additionally, if you are an American who already holds dual citizenship, you would still have to choose whether to remain a U.S. citizen or relinquish your status. Otherwise, according to the wording in the Act, “A citizen of the United States who, after the date of the enactment of this Act, voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship shall be deemed to have relinquished United States citizenship.”
As a naturalized citizen, you would be given up to one year from the date of the enactment of this Act to send a written renunciation of your foreign citizenship to the U.S. Secretary of State or notify the Secretary of Homeland Security in writing that you are renouncing U.S. citizenship status. The proposed Act, in its current form, is likely to face an uphill battle.
If you are a foreign national who is considering U.S. citizenship, or if you have questions regarding another immigration matter, contact U.S. Immigration Law Counsel for a strategy session to discuss your case.
