Recently, questions have circulated online about whether the United States may restrict or eliminate dual citizenship for naturalized citizens. These concerns stem from discussion around a newly introduced bill that has raised alarm among many immigrants who hold more than one passport.
At this time, it is important to separate proposal from reality and understand how U.S. citizenship law actually works.
What Is Being Proposed?
A bill was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate that discusses limiting dual citizenship for certain naturalized U.S. citizens. As introduced, the proposal suggests that individuals who naturalize as U.S. citizens could be required to hold only one nationality.
It is critical to emphasize that:
- This proposal is not law
- It has not passed Congress
- It has not been enacted or enforced
- It currently has no indication of bipartisan support
At this stage, the proposal represents an idea—not a legal change.
Can the U.S. Take Away Citizenship Automatically?
Under current U.S. law, citizenship cannot be taken away automatically.
For decades, U.S. courts have consistently ruled that:
- Citizenship may only be lost through voluntary and intentional action
- The government cannot revoke citizenship without clear evidence of intent
- Simply holding another passport does not constitute loss of U.S. citizenship
Two longstanding Supreme Court decisions firmly established that Congress does not have unlimited power to strip citizenship without a person’s voluntary choice.
Does the U.S. Currently Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes.
The United States has long recognized and tolerated dual citizenship, even though it does not formally “encourage” it. Many naturalized U.S. citizens lawfully hold:
- A U.S. passport, and
- A passport from their country of birth or another country
Millions of Americans live, work, and travel internationally while holding more than one nationality.
Would This Proposal Be Easy to Enforce?
Even if a proposal of this nature were to advance, enforcement would present significant legal and logistical challenges, including:
- Constitutional protections for U.S. citizens
- Due process requirements
- The practical inability to process large-scale citizenship revocations
- Limited administrative capacity at U.S. consulates
Historically, similar attempts to limit citizenship rights have faced substantial legal obstacles.
What Should Dual Citizens Do Right Now?
At this time, no action is required.
Naturalized U.S. citizens should:
- Continue using their U.S. passport when entering and leaving the United States
- Maintain compliance with U.S. tax and legal obligations
- Avoid making drastic decisions based on online speculation
- Rely on credible legal sources for updates
There is no requirement to renounce any citizenship, and there is no current risk to U.S. passports based solely on holding dual nationality.
Why Is There So Much Fear Around This Topic?
Immigration-related proposals often generate strong reactions, especially when they involve citizenship rights. Headlines and social media content sometimes amplify uncertainty before facts are fully understood.
While immigration law can change over time, citizenship protections under the U.S. Constitution are among the strongest legal rights a person can hold.
How NPZ Law Group Can Help
If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen with questions about:
- Dual citizenship
- Passport use
- Travel concerns
- Citizenship status
- Prior naturalization issues
Our team can review your situation and provide accurate, individualized guidance based on current law—not speculation.
We continue to monitor developments in immigration and citizenship law and will share updates if any proposal meaningfully advances.
Contact Information If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.