Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) is now reportedly taking aim at dual citizenship with a new bill that would require Americans to hold exclusive allegiance to the United States — and only the United States. The “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025,” introduced this week, would eliminate dual citizenship for future and current U.S. citizens, marking one of the most sweeping proposals on citizenship law in decades.
Moreno’s bill declares that no individual may be a U.S. citizen or national while simultaneously holding foreign citizenship. If passed, any U.S. citizen who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship after the law takes effect would be required to relinquish their American citizenship.
The bill goes even further for those who already hold dual citizenship. Such individuals would be required to submit a written renunciation of their foreign citizenship to the secretary of State — or formally renounce their U.S. citizenship to the secretary of Homeland Security — within one year of enactment. Anyone who fails to file the appropriate paperwork within the deadline would be deemed to have voluntarily relinquished their U.S. citizenship under section 349(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The legislation tasks the secretary of State with establishing procedures for declaration, verification, and recordkeeping for exclusive citizenship. It also requires coordination with the attorney general and Homeland Security to ensure that individuals who lose citizenship under the bill’s provisions are properly documented in federal systems and treated as foreign nationals under immigration law.
“Being an American citizen is an honor and a privilege — and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing,” Moreno said. “It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.”
If enacted, the law would take effect 180 days after passage.
Moreno’s proposal challenges decades of legal precedent. Dual citizenship has been recognized as a constitutional right through several major Supreme Court rulings. In Talbot v. Jansen (1795), the Court found that citizens who obtain foreign citizenship do not automatically lose their U.S. citizenship. In Afroyim v. Rusk (1967), the Court ruled the government cannot strip citizenship unless an individual voluntarily and knowingly gives it up.
Despite those rulings, Moreno argues that exclusive allegiance is necessary in an era marked by rising geopolitical tensions, foreign influence campaigns, and increasing conflicts of interest among individuals with ties to multiple nations.
America does not track dual citizenship numbers, but estimates suggest more than 40 million people may be eligible — a large share of whom are Mexican Americans, according to International Living. Supporters of stricter citizenship laws argue that foreign governments frequently take advantage of dual nationals, and that U.S. policymakers must ensure citizens have undivided loyalty to the country whose rights and protections they enjoy.
Moreno’s legislation is expected to spark intense debate across the political spectrum. Conservatives have long argued that dual citizenship poses risks to national security and civic cohesion, while critics contend that the bill will face significant constitutional challenges.
Still, Moreno’s message is clear: at a time when the United States faces threats abroad and division at home, he believes citizenship should be singular, committed, and unwavering.
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