A new Republican-led immigration bill, if passed, could place First Lady Melania Trump and her son Barron in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between their American status and their ties to Slovenia.
The Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio has announced plans to introduce legislation called the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025. The core aim of the bill is to eliminate dual citizenship in the United States. Under the proposed law, individuals holding citizenship in both the US and another nation would be required to renounce their foreign citizenship if they wish to retain their American status.
Senator Moreno, who was born in Colombia but renounced that citizenship himself, argues that dual nationality creates "conflicts of interest and divided loyalties." He stated to Fox News Digital that becoming an American citizen is an "all or nothing" commitment.
Potential Impact on the First Family
This legislation would directly affect Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia in 1970. She moved to New York as a model in 1996, obtained a green card in 2001, married Donald Trump in 2005, and became a naturalised US citizen in 2006 via an EB-1 visa for those with "extraordinary ability." She is the first naturalised US citizen to serve as First Lady.
Her son, Barron Trump, also holds dual citizenship with Slovenia, which his mother secured through paperwork after his birth. Both have maintained their Slovenian passports throughout Donald Trump's presidency.
Legislative Push Follows National Guard Shooting
The proposal emerges amidst a renewed Republican drive to tighten immigration controls. This push gained momentum following the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., the day before Thanksgiving. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom later died from her wounds.
The suspected shooter is an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had entered the US under an asylum claim. In response, President Donald Trump announced a 'permanent pause' on migration from what he termed 'third world countries' via a social media post. This was followed by proposals from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for a 'full travel ban' on certain nations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that all asylum claims are now under review. Senator Moreno's bill represents a further, significant hardening of policy, targeting the legal status of millions of existing dual citizens within the country.
The White House and the Office of the First Lady did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the proposed legislation.
