Barron and Melania Trump’s US citizenship explained as MAGA ally threatens their status

Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has introduced a controversial bill that could directly affect US First Lady Melania Trump and her son, Barron.

Moreno, who was born in Colombia and became a US citizen at 18, proposes that dual nationals must renounce their foreign citizenship and pledge “exclusive allegiance” to the United States.

Titled the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, the legislation would require all dual citizens to choose between their American citizenship and any other nationality.

The bill states that anyone who voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship after its enactment would automatically lose US citizenship. Moreno emphasized that American citizenship is “all or nothing,” framing dual citizenship as incompatible with true allegiance.

Under the proposal, the Department of Homeland Security and State Department would monitor dual nationals and give them one year to renounce their other citizenship, or they would automatically forfeit their US status.

Melania, who became a US citizen on July 28, 2006, would be affected, while Barron, born in March 2006, is a US citizen by birth and would not be impacted by efforts to end birthright citizenship.

Melania gained her US citizenship through a visa reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities, such as award-winning professionals and athletes, according to a Washington Post investigation. The bill highlights ongoing debates over citizenship and immigration policy under the Trump-aligned agenda.