A new bill introduced in the United States Senate is drawing global attention, particularly among Nigerians, following a proposal to abolish dual citizenship for American nationals.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno on Monday unveiled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, a legislation seeking to prohibit Americans from holding more than one nationality — a move that could impact millions of U.S. citizens, including tens of thousands of Nigerian-Americans.
What the Bill Proposes
The legislation argues that dual nationality creates “conflicts of interest and divided loyalties,” insisting that American citizenship should require complete allegiance to the United States.
Moreno, who was born in Colombia and later naturalised as a U.S. citizen at 18, said he renounced his Colombian citizenship to demonstrate “total loyalty.”
“It was an honour to pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and ONLY to the United States of America,” Moreno said. “Being an American citizen is a privilege — and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing.”
Why Nigerians Are Concerned
If passed, the bill could significantly affect Nigerians, one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in the U.S.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s July naturalisation report,
38,890 Nigerians became U.S. citizens between 2021 and 2023, placing Nigeria 13th globally and the only African country in the top 20.
Nigeria allows dual citizenship for citizens by birth, meaning many Nigerian-Americans currently maintain both passports.
Who Else Could Be Affected?
The proposal may also affect high-profile personalities such as U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who holds both American and Slovenian citizenship.
Political Context
The bill comes months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants — a contentious policy currently blocked by court challenges from 18 states and civil rights groups who say it violates the 14th Amendment.
What Happens Next?
The Exclusive Citizenship Act will undergo committee review before any possible vote. If enacted, Americans with dual citizenship may be forced to renounce foreign nationalities or risk losing their U.S. status.
Analysts say the proposal could reshape immigration identity in the U.S., with far-reaching implications for global communities including Nigerians.
