The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, introduced by Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, would prohibit U.S. citizens from holding any foreign citizenship. If enacted, the law would require individuals to choose between U.S. nationality and any additional passport.
Key provisions of the bill
- Sole allegiance requirement – U.S. citizens must owe “undivided” allegiance to the United States; dual or multiple citizenship would be illegal.
- Renunciation deadline – Within one year of the law’s enactment, anyone holding a foreign passport must submit a written renunciation of that citizenship to the Secretary of State or renounce U.S. citizenship to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Automatic loss of U.S. citizenship – Failure to comply within the deadline would be treated as a voluntary relinquishment of U.S. citizenship.
- Enforcement – Although the U.S. does not maintain a registry of dual nationals, the government could infer dual status from travel patterns, foreign passport usage, or foreign‑government lists (e.g., Malta’s former citizenship‑by‑investment program).
Estimated scope
- Expert estimates range from 500,000 to 5.7 million Americans who could be affected.
- A Forbes report suggested that ≈40 % of U.S. residents might be eligible for dual citizenship, primarily through ancestry (e.g., Italy, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia) or citizenship‑by‑investment programs (e.g., Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia).
Practical implications for U.S. citizens
- Loss of foreign benefits – Access to consular protection, tax treaties, and residency rights tied to a second passport could disappear.
- Residency risk – Some countries (especially in Latin America) may cancel residence permits if the holder no longer possesses the passport that qualified them.
- Travel complications – Without a second passport, travel to countries that require visas for U.S. citizens could become more cumbersome or costly.
Options and risk‑mitigation strategies
- Obtain multiple second passports now – Secure at least two foreign citizenships (e.g., a citizenship‑by‑investment program and an ancestry‑based passport) to provide redundancy if one is later restricted.
- Structure assets and residences independently of any single passport – Align property ownership, bank accounts, and residency permits with the foreign citizenship that offers the strongest legal protection.
- Prepare for renunciation – Understand the process for relinquishing foreign citizenship abroad, including surrendering the passport and obtaining official confirmation.
- Monitor legislative developments – Track the bill’s progress and any related proposals that could affect dual‑nationality policy.
Caveats
- The bill has not been passed; many proposals fail during the legislative process.
- Enforcement mechanisms are not fully defined, and the U.S. lacks a comprehensive dual‑citizenship registry, making compliance verification uncertain.
- Renouncing a foreign citizenship typically requires a visit to the relevant consulate or embassy; it cannot be completed solely from within the United States.
Bottom line: While the Exclusive Citizenship Act remains a proposal, its potential to strip Americans of dual‑nationality rights warrants proactive planning. Securing additional passports, decoupling assets from any single nationality, and staying informed about legislative changes are essential steps for anyone who values the flexibility of multiple citizenships.
