(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Filipino-Americans are being urged to “think twice” before they renounce Philippine citizenship, after the Philippine Embassy in Washington warned that a new bill in the United States Congress could force millions of dual citizens to choose between their U.S. and Philippine passports. The advisory, issued in December 2025, responds to the proposed Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, which would effectively end dual citizenship for many Overseas Filipinos in the United States.
What the bill proposes
The bill, introduced on December 1, 2025, by Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno, would make it illegal for U.S. citizens to hold citizenship in another country. Under the proposal:
- Anyone with dual citizenship would have one year after the law takes effect to give up either their foreign nationality or their U.S. citizenship.
- If they fail to act within that deadline, the bill says their inaction would be treated as a voluntary loss of U.S. citizenship.
Why the Embassy is warning people
Philippine officials say the combination of this proposal and the permanent nature of renunciation has raised urgent questions from Overseas Filipinos. The Embassy stressed that giving up Philippine nationality is an irreversible legal act. Once a person formally renounces before Philippine authorities, reclaiming former citizenship and related rights—such as residency, political participation, or ease of travel—can be extremely hard or even impossible.
This message is especially heavy for Filipino-Americans who have close ties to the Philippines through family, property, or business. For many, dual citizenship is not just a legal label but a practical tool that:
- Lets them visit parents on short notice
- Enables inheritance of land or a family home
- Allows retiring back in the Philippines after working decades in the United States
Losing that second citizenship could reshape retirement plans, estate planning, and long-term family care.
Broader family and legal impacts
The Embassy’s advisory highlights complex issues beyond property and travel, including:
- Inheritance rules
- Parental authority
- Family-based immigration
Families with mixed nationalities could see new problems if one parent renounces Philippine citizenship while children or spouses keep it. Lawyers warn that questions could arise later about:
- Who can pass property in the Philippines to whom
- What happens when a U.S.-born child wants to study or work in the Philippines
- How future petitions for family visas might be treated
Constitutional and legal concerns in the U.S.
Constitutional scholars have raised strong doubts about the legality of Senator Moreno’s proposal. They point to two key Supreme Court cases, Afroyim v. Rusk and Vance v. Terrazas, which held that the government cannot take away citizenship without a person’s clear, voluntary intent to give it up.
- The Court rejected the idea that Congress could assume someone meant to abandon citizenship because of an action—or inaction—that did not explicitly express that intent.
- Because the Exclusive Citizenship Act would treat silence as proof of intent, many experts say it almost certainly clashes with those rulings.
Under the bill, a dual citizen who does nothing within the one‑year window would be treated as if they chose to give up U.S. citizenship, even if they were confused, abroad, ill, or unaware of the new law. Legal analysts warn such a system would likely face immediate court challenges if Congress passed it and the President signed it.
Current status of the bill
- As of December 2025, the bill remains only a proposal.
- It has not been enacted into law and has not cleared either the Senate or the House of Representatives.
- The Philippine Embassy reminded communities that no one is being ordered today to renounce Philippine or U.S. citizenship.
Still, officials say the measure is serious enough that Overseas Filipinos should not make rushed decisions—especially when renunciation on the Philippine side cannot easily be undone.
Historical context: U.S. policy on dual citizenship
The debate touches a long history of how the United States views dual citizenship. Since 1952, federal law has recognized that an American can hold another nationality without automatically losing U.S. status. Over time, courts and the State Department have accepted that people may live with legal ties to two countries at once—voting in one, owning property in another, and moving back and forth as work and family needs change.
Senator Moreno’s bill would push sharply against that settled practice and mark a significant policy shift if enacted.
Practical risks and safety-net benefits of dual citizenship
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the Embassy’s warning is a reminder that citizenship is not just a travel document but a bundle of rights and protections. For Filipino-Americans, dual citizenship can act as a safety net in situations such as:
- Job loss or nonrenewal of an employment-tied visa
- Family emergencies requiring long stays in the Philippines
- International careers, including work assignments in Asia or study programs across countries
The Embassy’s caution also extends to students, health workers, and other professionals who move between the Philippines and the United States or third countries. Holding two passports can smooth visa applications and entry rules for those planning to:
- Work in the Middle East
- Study in Europe
- Live as a digital nomad in Southeast Asia
If someone renounces Philippine citizenship now to comply with a future law that may never pass, they could lose that flexibility forever, with no easy way back.
What officials and legal advisors recommend
Officials in Manila and Washington are urging Filipino communities to seek advice before taking any step to renounce Philippine or U.S. citizenship. Community organizations report that some Overseas Filipinos—frightened by social media—have already asked how to start the renunciation process.
Lawyers emphasize the following steps:
- Read official guidance from the Philippine government.
- Consult both Philippine and U.S. immigration attorneys when needed.
- Speak with consular staff before signing any renunciation documents.
The U.S. State Department explains on its website that Americans may hold second citizenship and that loss of U.S. status normally requires a clear statement of intent before a consular officer. Its public information, available at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship.html, reflects the Supreme Court’s position that citizenship is a protected right that cannot be taken away lightly. Any attempt by Congress to change that basic rule would mark a sharp turn in modern U.S. nationality policy.
Human stories and community concerns
For many individuals the debate is deeply personal rather than legal:
- A nurse in California who sends money each month to parents in Manila
- A small business owner in New Jersey planning to retire in Cebu
- A student in Virginia dreaming of a future in both countries
These people may feel forced to make a one‑time, final choice. Some fear that once they pick, their children will never enjoy the same options they did.
Embassy guidance and community action
The Philippine Embassy has tried to calm fears while urging caution. It stresses that the Exclusive Citizenship Act has not yet moved forward and may never become law in its current form. At the same time, it reminds Overseas Filipinos that decisions about citizenship should be made with a long view, not in reaction to short‑term political debates.
Officials encourage people to:
- Monitor updates
- Attend community briefings
- Speak directly with consular staff before giving up any passport
Key takeaway: Renunciation is often irreversible. Think long-term, get legal advice, and avoid rushed decisions based on social media or proposals that may never become law.
Broader lesson for immigrant communities
For immigrants from many other countries, the warning to Filipino-Americans offers a wider lesson about the weight of citizenship decisions. Once a person signs away a passport, regaining it later is rarely simple—and the doors that close may affect future generations as well.
In December 2025 the Philippine Embassy warned Filipino-Americans against hastily renouncing Philippine citizenship after the Exclusive Citizenship Act was introduced. The bill would force dual nationals to choose one nationality within one year, treating inaction as voluntary loss of U.S. citizenship. Officials emphasize renunciation is often irreversible and could upend inheritance, retirement, and family immigration. Constitutional scholars say the measure likely conflicts with Supreme Court rulings and would face legal challenges. Communities are advised to seek legal and consular guidance before acting.
