A newly introduced bill in the U.S. Senate is aiming to eliminate dual citizenship altogether, forcing millions of Americans with more than one nationality to make a historic, high-stakes choice.
On December 1, 2025, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) unveiled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, a proposal that would require Americans to hold only U.S. citizenship — no exceptions.
The bill argues that American citizenship demands “sole and exclusive allegiance,” and would compel those with dual nationality to renounce one citizenship or automatically lose their U.S. status.
“One of the greatest honors of my life was when I became an American citizen at 18,” Moreno said in a statement. “Being an American citizen is an honor and a privilege — and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing. It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.”
Under current law, Americans can hold foreign citizenship without penalty. Moreno claims that allowance creates “conflicts of interest,” especially in an era of rising geopolitical tension.
But immigration attorneys warn the proposal would be one of the most sweeping changes to U.S. citizenship law in modern history — and its implications could be far-reaching.
U.S. immigration attorney Akua Poku, in a video explanation breaking down the bill, outlined its core provisions:
- No more dual citizenship: Americans could no longer legally possess another nationality.
- Future foreign citizenship = loss of U.S. citizenship: Anyone who acquires a second nationality after the law takes effect would be treated as having surrendered their American citizenship.
- Existing dual nationals must choose: Those who already have two passports would be given one year to renounce either their U.S. citizenship or their foreign one. Failure to act means the government will assume they relinquished their American citizenship.
- Timeline: If passed, the law would go into effect six months after enactment.
Poku stressed that the bill is not law — at least not yet. “It would have to pass the Senate, the House of Representatives, and be signed by the president,” she noted, emphasizing that the legislative path ahead is long and politically uncertain.
If enacted, the policy would mark a dramatic break from long-standing U.S. immigration norms — and could reshape the lives of naturalized citizens, children of immigrants, Americans living abroad, and anyone with family ties beyond U.S. borders.
For now, dual citizens remain unaffected. But the debate has begun.
