The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. issued a statement Saturday clarifying that United States policy regarding dual citizenship remains unchanged, amid circulating online rumors of a potential crackdown.
The embassy dispelled claims suggesting that holding dual nationality could jeopardize an individual’s American citizenship or that new restrictions would soon require the renunciation of foreign ties.
“The United States continues to allow dual citizenship, and there have been no changes to this policy,” the embassy stated. “Don’t let misinformation stop you from becoming a dual citizen.”
The clarification follows the naturalization of 15 new dual citizens at the Philippine chancery on Friday. These individuals, who had previously lost their Philippine citizenship upon becoming U.S. citizens, reacquired it under Philippine Republic Act 9225.
The embassy addressed a pending bill in the U.S. Senate aimed at ending dual citizenship, noting that the legislation is subject to lengthy deliberations and its passage remains uncertain.
Officials pointed to a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Kawakita v. U.S.) which recognized dual citizenship as a long-standing legal status, asserting that a person may exercise the rights and responsibilities of two nations simultaneously.
Filipino-Americans were encouraged to continue applying for dual status through the embassy or consulates.
However, the embassy cautioned that the voluntary renunciation of Philippine citizenship remains an irreversible legal action under current laws.