Nearly 40,000 Nigerians to Choose Between United States Or Nigeria as U.S. Senator Moves to Ban Dual Citizenships

U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno has introduced a sweeping new immigration proposal that would ban dual citizenship for Americans and force millions of people with multiple nationalities to choose one. The bill, known as the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, has already triggered concern among immigrant communities worldwide — particularly Nigerians, who make up one of the largest African groups naturalizing in the United States.

Under the proposal, dual nationality would no longer be permitted under U.S. law. Americans who currently hold citizenship in another country would be given a one-year deadline to renounce their foreign nationality or face the automatic loss of their U.S. citizenship. The bill also states that any American who acquires a foreign citizenship in the future would immediately forfeit their U.S. citizenship.

Moreno argues the change is necessary to ensure “exclusive allegiance” to the United States.

“One of the greatest honors of my life was becoming an American citizen at 18,” he said in a statement. “Being an American is an honor 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.”

Why Nigerians Are Specifically Impacted

Nigeria permits dual citizenship for Nigerians by birth, and many Nigerians who immigrate to the United States retain their Nigerian nationality even after becoming American citizens.

According to recent U.S. naturalization statistics, 38,890 Nigerians became naturalized U.S. citizens between 2021 and 2023.

The proposed law would force these dual citizens to make a difficult choice:

Keep U.S. citizenship and renounce Nigerian citizenship, or Retain Nigerian citizenship and lose their U.S. passport.

This potential impact has driven widespread coverage in Nigerian media, with headlines warning that thousands of Nigerian–Americans could be directly affected.

A Controversial Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy

Dual citizenship is currently legal in the United States and supported by decades of legal precedent that discourages stripping individuals of their nationality. Moreno’s proposal echoes the harder-line immigration approach associated with the Trump-era Republican platform, though previous attempts to eliminate dual citizenship have failed in Congress.

Legal scholars say the Exclusive Citizenship Act, if passed, would likely face immediate constitutional challenges, including cases tied to due process, citizenship rights, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s historical reluctance to allow denationalization.

Where the Bill Stands Now

The legislation is at the introductory stage and has not yet been debated or voted on. It would need to pass both chambers of Congress and receive the President’s signature before becoming law — a process that could take months or stall entirely.

For now, no changes have been made to U.S. citizenship rules. Dual citizens, including Nigerians, retain all current legal protections.

However, analysts say the bill reflects a growing political trend that questions the loyalty of Americans with ties abroad, raising the stakes for millions who maintain multiple nationalities.

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