The End Of Dual Citizenship?
- Dual citizens would have 1 year to choose citizenship, or risk losing U.S. status.
- Enforcing the bill could be difficult due to lack of comprehensive dual citizenship data.
- Experts warn the bill may face legal challenges and undermine rights of dual citizens.
Source: TIMOTHY CLARY / Getty
What Is Happening?
A new bill called the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The goal of the bill is to end dual citizenship for Americans. This means U.S. citizens would not be allowed to hold another citizenship at the same time.
What the Bill Says
- People with dual citizenship would have one year to choose which citizenship to keep.
- If someone does not choose, the government would treat it as if they gave up their U.S. citizenship.
- The U.S. government would build new systems to check who has dual citizenship.
- This would affect millions of people who became dual citizens by birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization.
Why People Are Talking About It
This bill is raising a lot of discussion because dual citizenship has been allowed in the U.S. for decades. Many legal experts believe the bill may face challenges because:
- It could conflict with past court rulings on citizenship rights.
- It would be difficult to track every dual citizen, since the U.S. does not keep one complete list.
- Some people could lose important rights in the country they or their families are from.
Where the Bill Is Now
It is not a law yet. Right now, it is only a proposal in the Senate. For it to become a law, it must:
- Go through Senate committees.
- Be debated and voted on by the Senate.
- Be approved by the House of Representatives.
- Be signed by the President.
Because this bill is so big and controversial, it has a long way to go. Many experts say it faces major legal and practical obstacles.
How to Keep Up With Updates
If this could affect you or your family, here are easy ways to stay informed:
- Watch Congress updates: Look for movement on the bill in Senate and House committee schedules.
- Check the U.S. Department of State website: They will release guidance if the bill moves forward.
- Follow trustworthy news outlets: They will report when the bill changes or advances.
- Save your important documents: Keep passports, birth certificates, and dual-citizenship paperwork together in case verification becomes required.
- Stay alert for official mail or emails: If the bill progresses, the government may send notices about status checks.
The Bottom Line
This bill is still in the early stages, and nothing has changed legally yet. But it’s important to know what is being discussed and what it could mean for dual citizens in the future.
