WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington issued a cautionary advisory on Saturday, December 6, 2025, urging Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) to think twice before renouncing their Philippine citizenship in light of a new US Senate bill that could end dual nationality in the United States. The move comes as Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) introduced the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 on December 1, aiming to ensure “undivided allegiance” to America—a proposal that could upend the lives of nearly 5 million Fil-Ams if it gains traction.
The embassy’s statement, shared via official channels, emphasizes the irreversible nature of Philippine citizenship renunciation and encourages the community to closely monitor the bill’s progress. “Our Philippine foreign service posts in the United States are closely monitoring the bill and advise the Filipino-American community to do the same and exercise caution in renouncing their citizenship,” the advisory reads. “Renunciation of Philippine citizenship is an irreversible legal action.” Embassy officials noted that similar proposals have fizzled in Congress before, but lawmakers must deliberate extensively given the bill’s potential impact on major immigrant groups.
The Bill: A Bid for “All or Nothing” Loyalty
Moreno, a Colombian immigrant who became a US citizen at 18, framed the legislation as a safeguard for national loyalty. “An American citizen’s allegiance to the United States must be undivided,” he stated in introducing the Exclusive Citizenship Act. “Being an American citizen 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.” The bill seeks to amend US immigration law to prohibit dual nationality, requiring new citizens to fully relinquish prior allegiances—a stark departure from current policy.
This stance clashes with a 1952 US Supreme Court ruling that has long affirmed the right to dual nationality as a status recognized by law. For Fil-Ams, who numbered nearly 5 million in the US according to 2023 Census Bureau data (including US-born individuals and immigrants), the proposal strikes at the heart of their hybrid identities. Many hold dual status under Republic Act No. 9225, the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, allowing naturalized Filipinos to reclaim Philippine citizenship without losing their American one.
Recent Context: A Surge in Dual Citizenship Reclaims
The advisory’s timing is poignant, following a notable uptick in Fil-Ams reclaiming Philippine citizenship. In October 2025, 226 Filipinos in Orlando, Florida, underwent the process after naturalizing as Americans, highlighting the practical value of dual status for travel, property ownership, and family ties. Embassy data shows a steady stream of such reacquisitions, underscoring the community’s deep roots in both nations.
Critics, including immigration advocates, decry the bill as discriminatory and out of touch with America’s immigrant ethos. “Dual citizenship enriches our society—it’s not a threat,” argued Maria Gonzalez, executive director of the Filipino American National Historical Society. Moreno’s proposal, while unlikely to pass in its current form given congressional gridlock, reignites debates on loyalty oaths and cultural preservation.
Implications for Fil-Am Community
For the diaspora—engineers in Silicon Valley, nurses in New York, entrepreneurs in California—the bill poses existential questions. Renouncing Philippine citizenship could sever ties to ancestral lands, inheritance rights, and even voting in national elections back home. The embassy’s plea serves as a prudent pause: “Exercise caution,” it advises, reminding that US lawmakers must still navigate hearings, amendments, and votes before any change takes effect.
As the holiday season unfolds with its themes of family and belonging, the advisory resonates deeply—a gentle nudge to cherish dual roots in a world that sometimes demands singular paths. For now, Fil-Ams are urged to stay informed via embassy updates, ensuring decisions are deliberate, not driven by distant drafts.