Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio is set to propose a new piece of legislation aimed at abolishing dual citizenship in the United States. Dubbed the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, the proposed bill seeks to require U.S. citizens who possess citizenship in another country to choose between retaining their U.S. citizenship or that of the other nation. In addition, the bill would prohibit Americans from acquiring any new foreign citizenship without relinquishing their U.S. citizenship.
The proposal aligns with a broader trend in Republican discourse surrounding immigration policy, echoing former President Trump’s stringent approach to immigration that has included changes to green card regulations, visa rules, and enforcement against illegal immigration.
Moreno, who emigrated from Colombia and renounced his Colombian citizenship, expressed his sentiments on the matter, stating, “One of the greatest honours of my life was when I became an American citizen at 18. It was an honour to pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and only to the United States of America. 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.”
Current U.S. law permits individuals to hold citizenship in multiple countries without necessitating a decision on which citizenship to uphold. However, if Moreno’s bill is ratified, it would mandate changes to this standing. Under the proposed legislation, responsibility for tracking dual citizens would fall on the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once identified, dual citizens would have one year to choose between their U.S. citizenship and the citizenship of the other nation they hold. Failure to comply could result in the automatic loss of U.S. citizenship.
Moreno’s efforts also reflect ongoing discussions within the Republican party concerning citizenship regulations. Previous proposals from Republican lawmakers have suggested that candidates for Congress should disclose any foreign citizenship, with potential consequences for those who hold dual citizenship. This initiative shows a growing interest in addressing perceived conflicts of interest linked to dual allegiance.
Additionally, President Trump’s previous commitment to abolishing birthright citizenship remains embroiled in legal challenges, highlighting the contentious nature of citizenship laws and their implications on American identity and loyalty.
This legislative initiative emphasizes the ongoing debate around citizenship and immigration in the U.S., signaling a potential shift toward stricter regulations concerning national allegiance.