A Colombian-born US Senator is moving to end dual citizenship in America, proposing that all Americans who hold foreign citizenship must renounce their other nationality to maintain allegiance to the United States.
Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio who migrated from Colombia and later renounced his Colombian citizenship, plans to introduce the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025.
According to Moreno, the legislation would require current dual citizens to choose between the United States and any other country, and prohibit future dual citizenship by ensuring that those seeking foreign nationality automatically forfeit their US citizenship.
“Being an American citizen is an honour and a privilege — and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing,” Moreno said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.”
Currently, US law allows citizens to maintain nationality in more than one country without forcing a choice.
Moreno’s bill seeks to change this, citing concerns that dual citizenship could create “conflicts of interest and divided loyalties,” particularly among Americans serving in government or military positions.
Under the proposed legislation, the US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security would be tasked with establishing systems to track dual citizenship and enforce compliance.
Dual citizens would be given one year to either renounce their foreign citizenship or surrender their US nationality. Failure to act within that period would result in automatic loss of US citizenship.
While the bill aligns with previous Republican efforts to tighten citizenship rules in the United States, it may face legal challenges.
The US Supreme Court has consistently upheld dual citizenship rights since the 1950s, and Moreno’s proposal could spark renewed debate over constitutional protections and personal freedoms.
The move could have far-reaching implications for Americans with ties abroad, including those in countries with close economic or family links to the US. For instance, US citizens in Uganda, who may hold dual nationality for business, property ownership, or family reasons, could be forced to choose between their American passport and Ugandan citizenship if similar policies were adopted.
Dual citizenship is common in many parts of Africa, where migrants often maintain legal status in both their home and host countries.
Moreno’s push reflects a broader trend in US politics toward exclusive allegiance requirements, raising questions about how such policies could affect global mobility and diaspora communities.
Moreno, who became a US citizen at 18, emphasized that his personal experience informs the proposal.
“One of the greatest honours of my life was when I became an American citizen. I pledged allegiance only to the United States, and I believe that should be the standard for all Americans,” he said.
The legislation is expected to be formally introduced in the US Senate this week. Its passage would represent one of the most significant shifts in US citizenship law in decades, potentially affecting millions of dual nationals worldwide.