US senator proposes end to dual citizenship, raising concerns for Nigerians, others

U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno has introduced legislation that would end dual citizenship for Americans, a sweeping proposal that could affect millions of U.S. nationals, including tens of thousands of Nigerians who hold both U.S. and foreign passports.

The bill, titled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, argues that allowing Americans to maintain multiple nationalities creates “conflicts of interest and divided loyalties.” U.S. law currently permits citizens to acquire or retain other nationalities without renouncing U.S. citizenship.

Moreno, who was born in Colombia and became a U.S. citizen at 18, said the change is necessary to reinforce full allegiance to the United States.

“It was an honour to pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America and ONLY to the United States of America,” he said. “Being an American citizen is an honour and a privilege — and if you want to be an American, it’s all or nothing. It’s time to end dual citizenship for good.” Moreno has since renounced his Colombian citizenship.

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The proposal, if enacted, could affect prominent figures such as U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who holds American and Slovenian citizenship. It would also have significant implications for Nigerians, who make up one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the United States.

According to a July naturalisation report released by the Department of Homeland Security, 38,890 Nigerians became naturalised U.S. citizens between 2021 and 2023. Nigeria ranked 13th among countries with the most naturalised Americans and was the only African nation in the top 20.

Nigerian law permits dual citizenship for citizens by birth, allowing them to retain Nigerian nationality even after naturalising elsewhere.

The move also comes months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to end automatic U.S. citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants, a policy shift currently stalled by lawsuits from 18 states and civil rights groups arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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