Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio plans to introduce legislation that would fundamentally reshape American citizenship law, requiring dual citizens to choose exclusive allegiance to one country. The proposal, titled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, would have far-reaching implications for millions of Americans holding multiple passports—including First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump, who both maintain dual citizenship with Slovenia.
The bill would mandate that any U.S. citizen with foreign citizenship select between the two countries, effectively ending the long-standing American practice of allowing dual nationality. Under the proposed framework, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security would establish databases and enforcement mechanisms to track individuals with multiple citizenships.
Moreno, who became a U.S. citizen at age 18 after being born in Colombia and has since renounced his Colombian citizenship, provided his rationale in a statement. “One of the greatest honors of my life was when I became an American citizen at 18, the first opportunity I could do so,” he said. “Being an American citizen is an honor and a privilege—and if you want to be an American—it’s all or nothing.”
The legislation includes strict compliance requirements. Dual citizens would have one year after enactment to formally renounce their foreign citizenship through the secretary of state or notify the Department of Homeland Security of their intent to give up U.S. citizenship. Those who fail to make a choice within the deadline would automatically lose their American citizenship and be recorded as non-citizens under immigration law.
Melania Trump, 55, moved to the United States in 1996 and obtained citizenship in July 2006 through an EB-1 visa, which is reserved for immigrants with extraordinary ability and sustained national and international acclaim. She holds the distinction of being the only first lady to become a naturalized U.S. citizen and is just the second first lady born outside America, following Louisa Adams, wife of President John Quincy Adams, who was born in London in 1775.
According to Mary Jordan’s 2020 book “The Art of Her Deal,” both Melania and Barron have maintained their Slovenian passports alongside their American citizenship. Jordan noted that the first lady would have needed to file paperwork for Barron’s dual citizenship, as it was not automatic, demonstrating intentional planning for her son’s future options.
The 19-year-old Barron speaks Slovenian and has kept his Slovenian passport, which provides significant practical advantages. Jordan explained in interviews promoting her book that dual citizenship allows easier work opportunities throughout Europe, enabling Barron to establish businesses or pursue career options across the continent with fewer bureaucratic obstacles. The Slovenian passport also simplifies inheritance matters and property ownership in European nations.
Moreno defended his proposal by arguing that dual citizenship creates conflicts of interest and divided loyalties. He emphasized that his bill would require exclusive allegiance to the United States, framing citizenship as a singular commitment rather than a flexible arrangement that accommodates multiple national identities.
The timing of the proposed legislation aligns with broader immigration policy shifts in the Trump administration. Current law permits Americans to hold citizenship in multiple countries simultaneously without forcing individuals to choose between competing loyalties, a flexibility that millions of Americans have utilized for family, professional and personal reasons.
Under the enforcement mechanism outlined in the bill, those who relinquish U.S. citizenship—whether voluntarily or through automatic forfeiture after the one-year deadline—would be treated as aliens under immigration law. The Department of Homeland Security and attorney general would ensure these individuals are properly recorded in federal systems and subject to the same rules governing foreign nationals.
The legislation represents a significant departure from decades of American immigration practice, which has generally accommodated dual citizenship as globalization has increased international marriage, business and family connections. Many Americans acquire second citizenships through birth, marriage or ancestral heritage, maintaining ties to multiple nations without legal conflict.
For the Trump family, the proposal presents an unusual situation where legislation from a member of the president’s own party could require the first lady and her son to choose between their American and Slovenian identities. The Slovenian connection remains culturally significant to Melania, who has maintained language and customs from her birth country even as she has embraced American life.
The bill’s prospects in Congress remain uncertain, as similar efforts to restrict dual citizenship have emerged periodically without gaining sufficient support for passage. Previous attempts in the House have included proposals requiring members of Congress to either disclose foreign citizenship or prohibit dual citizens from serving in legislative positions entirely.
Moreno emphasized his personal connection to the citizenship debate through his own experience immigrating from Colombia and making what he described as an unequivocal commitment to America. His pledge of allegiance to the United States alone, he argued, should serve as a model for all citizens, current and prospective.