Dual Citizenship in the U.S.: Bill Proposes Ending the Right and Reignites Legal Debate
- Murtaz Navsariwala
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
The recent introduction of a bill in the United States Senate has reignited the debate over dual citizenship. The proposal generated strong headlines and immediate concerns - but what has actually changed?
In this article, you will understand what the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 is, the current legal landscape, and how this may (or may not) impact your plans to live legally in the United States.
Table of Content:
What is the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025
The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 (S.3283) is a bill introduced in the United States Senate that seeks to change how the country treats multiple citizenship.
The central justification behind the proposal is to reinforce the concept of “exclusive allegiance” to the United States, establishing that an American citizen should not maintain formal nationality ties with another country.
It is important to emphasize that this is a proposed bill, not a law that has been approved or enacted.
What the Bill Proposes in Practice
If approved under its current terms, the bill could:
Require U.S. citizens with dual nationality to choose only one citizenship within one year
Impose formal renunciation of either foreign nationality or U.S. citizenship
Establish potential automatic loss of U.S. citizenship for individuals who acquire another nationality in the future
In practice, this would represent a significant shift in American legal tradition, which has historically tolerated and recognized the existence of multiple nationalities.
Is Dual Citizenship Currently Allowed in the U.S.?
Yes.
Current U.S. law allows a person to be a U.S. citizen while simultaneously holding citizenship in another country.
The constitutional foundation of this debate lies in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to citizenship.
In 1967, in the case of Afroyim v. Rusk, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot revoke American citizenship without the individual's voluntary renunciation.
This precedent is extremely relevant because it:
Establishes limits on Congress’s power to cancel citizenship
Creates constitutional barriers to automatic loss of nationality
Reinforces the principle of individual protection against unilateral government action
This means any attempt to impose automatic cancellation would likely face significant legal challenges.
In other words, the U.S. government does not require a naturalized citizen to formally renounce their prior nationality (although some countries of origin may require it).
Millions of people legally maintain dual nationality through:
Birth (children of foreign parents born in the U.S.)
Descent
Naturalization
Marriage
Multiple citizenship is a consolidated reality within the American legal system.
How Many People Have or May Qualify for Dual Citizenship?
Although there is no exact official number, data suggests a significant scenario:
More than 7.9 million immigrants have naturalized as U.S. citizens in the past decade
Millions of Americans have potential eligibility for additional citizenship through ancestry
Approximately 38.6 million Americans report Irish ancestry, which may allow access to European citizenship
Additionally, interest in second citizenship has grown globally as a strategy for:
Estate planning
Protection against political instability
International mobility
Diversification of professional opportunities
Dual citizenship is not an exception - it is a reality for millions.
Is the Bill Already in Effect?
No.
The bill is still in its early stages in the Senate.
To become law, it would need to:
Pass the Senate
Pass the House of Representatives
Receive presidential approval
Potentially withstand judicial challenges
This process can take months or years and many bills never move beyond the initial stages.
Until a new law is formally approved and enacted, current legislation remains in force.
Current Landscape, Real Impacts, and What You Should Do Now
Citizenship debates often arise during periods of increased political polarization.
Legislative proposals are part of the normal functioning of the American democratic system. However, it is essential to distinguish between:
A political proposal
The legislative process
A law that is actually in effect
At this time, there has been no change to dual citizenship rules.
For those who wish to naturalize as U.S. citizens, maintain dual nationality, plan immigration to the U.S., or protect their legal status, the most important response is not fear - it is strategy.
Bills are introduced every year. Headlines may cause concern. But successful immigration is built on:
Early legal planning
Proper document organization
Strategic case structuring
Individualized analysis
If your goal is to live legally in the United States, build an international career, or create greater opportunities for your family, decisions should not be based on fear or speculation.
If you want to understand how this discussion may affect your specific situation, the best step is a personalized legal evaluation.
About Murtaz Law
With more than a decade of experience, we take pride in guiding families and individuals on their journey to legally immigrate to the USA, whether temporarily or permanently.
Our success story spans a variety of cases, including temporary immigration, family reunification, naturalization, and especially, work visas like the EB2-NIW, which leads to the Green Card. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation and become a reference for skilled professionals, artists, and elite athletes who wish to expand their careers or undertake ventures in the USA.
Our 99.5% approval rate in cases demonstrates our commitment to a personalized approach, combining ethics, creativity, and deep knowledge of the laws and economic issues. We recognize that each client has a unique story and work side by side, individually, to create tailored strategies that achieve the desired outcomes. We take the importance of our work in our clients' lives seriously. Your future deserves a unique strategy, and we at Murtaz Law have the experience and expertise to meet your immigration needs.
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