An Italian court this week signaled the end of Italy’s once-longstanding dual citizenship pathway, leaving millions of Italian Americans with no clear route forward.
On Thursday, the Constitutional Court said it would rule in favor of the government and its controversial 2025 law restricting citizenship for those born abroad.
Under the measure, only the children and grandchildren of Italian citizens are now eligible to apply for dual citizenship. The law had been challenged by four judges, who questioned its constitutionality.
Following the first of four hearings this week, however, a statement issued by the court indicated it would uphold the government’s position.
“The Constitutional Court has declared the questions of constitutional legitimacy raised by the Turin court partially unfounded and partially inadmissible,” the court announced.
A detailed ruling is expected in the coming weeks.
The abrupt shift began on March 28, 2025, when the Italian government issued an emergency decree known as the “Citizenship Package.” Championed by Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, the measure took immediate effect. Last May, the Italian Parliament formally confirmed the law.
The restrictions do not affect those who have already obtained dual citizenship or those who submitted applications on or before the March 27, 2025, cutoff. Still, many applicants who spent years — and often thousands of dollars — gathering, translating and notarizing documents now find themselves at a dead end.
Government officials argue the changes are necessary to restore order to an overwhelmed system, citing concerns about fraud and improperly submitted documentation. Yet many of those problems have been reported in countries such as Argentina and Brazil, not in the United States.
For those now deemed ineligible, the only remaining option is to move to Italy and pursue citizenship through residency — a process that can take years and has become even more difficult under stricter visa requirements for non-European Union citizens.
ISDA President Basil Russo met last month with Tajani and Ambassador Marco Peronaci in Washington, D.C., marking new connections between Italian and Italian American leadership.
The meeting served as an initial step toward identifying areas of mutual interest and exploring opportunities for future collaboration centered on shared cultural and community priorities.
As Italy’s court prepares its final ruling on the law’s constitutionality, ISDA continues to advocate for easing the restrictions and restoring eligibility for Italian Americans.
“For Italian Americans, the path to dual citizenship is an almost sacred journey,” said ISDA National President Basil Russo. “It is a years-long and often costly process that allows families to reconnect with their roots and with the people and places that shaped our culture both in Italy and in America. We hope Italy’s leaders and policymakers will recognize the deep personal and cultural significance of this process for our community, and we will never stop advocating for a far more inclusive solution.”
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