If passed, the proposed Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 could become one of the most disruptive measures affecting immigrant communities across the United States.
For Cuban Americans—many of whom retain their original nationality due to the Cuban regime's reluctance to allow easy renunciation, which is required to enter the island—the proposal would mean choosing between their American citizenship and their birth identity.
On Wednesday, the organization Voto Latino condemned the proposed legislation that aims to ban dual citizenship in the U.S., urging Congress to oppose the initiative. They argue it would force millions to choose between their legal rights and their personal identities.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, championed by Colombian-born Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, would apply to both native-born citizens and naturalized immigrants, prohibiting them from holding a second nationality, according to an EFE report.
The proposal specifies that any U.S. citizen acquiring foreign citizenship would automatically forfeit their American citizenship.
“This bill is a direct attack on the multicultural fabric that defines our nation,” stated Voto Latino in a press release.
Senator Moreno, in presenting the proposal, argued that the measure is rooted in the loyalty every citizen should have towards the United States.
However, the organization contended that the initiative “instrumentalizes patriotism” and exacerbates societal divisions by forcing those with dual nationality to "choose sides."
The Hispanic rights advocacy group warned that the measure would sever crucial cultural and familial ties essential to national identity and reflects a political climate where some lawmakers attempt to dictate who belongs in the country.
Voto Latino urged Congress to reject the proposal and instead promote bipartisan solutions that safeguard the constitutional rights of all Americans, regardless of their background.
The proposal might face legal challenges, given that the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that Congress cannot revoke citizenship without voluntary renunciation, a protection guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Moreno's bill has the necessary support to advance in the Senate, emphasized EFE.
Understanding the Implications of the Exclusive Citizenship Act
What is the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025?
The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 is a proposed legislation that would prohibit dual citizenship in the United States, requiring citizens who acquire a foreign nationality to forfeit their American citizenship.
Who would be affected by this bill?
The bill would impact both U.S.-born citizens and naturalized immigrants who hold dual citizenship, forcing them to choose one nationality.
Why is Voto Latino opposing the bill?
Voto Latino opposes the bill because it believes the legislation attacks multiculturalism, forces individuals to choose between legal rights and personal identity, and deepens societal divides.