Former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. has downplayed the threat posed by a new US Senate bill that seeks to outlaw dual citizenship, stating that its chances of passing are “very slim.”
Cuisia described the proposed “Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025,” introduced by Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, as both politically weak and likely unconstitutional.
“I think it’s very unlikely that this bill will pass because it lacks support. No other Republican or Democratic senator has backed the bill. Even if he attempts to bring it up for discussion in the Senate, many opponents will arise since other senators have constituents who hold dual citizenship,” he told Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Cuisia said the measure may not garner support from US lawmakers or President Donald Trump, noting that Trump has close personal ties to individuals with dual citizenship, as both First Lady Melania Trump and his son Barron hold dual US-Slovenian citizenship.
“It is unlikely that President Trump will support this bill,” he added.
He referred to two landmark Supreme Court decisions, Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) and Vance v. Terrazas (1980), which established that US citizenship is a right, not a privilege, and cannot be revoked by Congress unless a citizen voluntarily renounces it.
“This bill is unconstitutional,” he said.
“US citizenship cannot be taken away unless there is a voluntary renunciation. The Supreme Court has affirmed that citizenship is a right, not a privilege granted by Congress,” Cuisia added.
Earlier, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez clarified that the bill seeking to end dual citizenship remains only a proposal and is far from becoming law, cautioning Filipino-Americans against hastily giving up their Philippine citizenship.
Romualdez noted the U.S. legislative process for hearings and passing such a bill would be lengthy and complex.
“This has not yet been formally introduced. Even if it were, it would take some time—probably between six months to a year,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
He advised Filipino-Americans with dual citizenship not to rush into giving up their Philippine citizenship.
“Our advice to our fellow citizens who hold dual citizenship is not to act too quickly in renouncing their Filipino citizenship. Once you renounce it, you cannot get it back,” he added.
