Italian American groups push back against Italy’s new measures that threaten to block dual citizenship for millions.
By Truby Chiaviello, PRIMO Magazine
Reverse course.
That’s the loud and clear message Basil Russo and Italian American organizations are sending to the Italian government.
A sweeping change to Italy’s citizenship laws has sparked backlash among major Italian Americans groups, who warn that the move could sever millions of descendants from their ancestral roots.
At the forefront of the opposition are the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) — both led by Russo, who calls the new measure sudden and unjustified.
On Friday, March 28, 2025, the Italian government issued an emergency decree known as the “Citizenship Package.” Championed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the decree took immediate effect to drastically limit the eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis).
Unless overturned by the courts or modified by Italy’s parliament within 60 days, the decree stands to permanently reshape Italy’s approach to citizenship for those born abroad.
Previously, Italian citizenship could be passed down across multiple generations — a policy that allowed great-grandchildren and even great-great-grandchildren of Italians to apply. Under the new rule, however, only children and grandchildren of Italians born abroad will be automatically eligible for citizenship. This effectively ends the pathway for more distant descendants, including a large portion of Italian Americans.
The measure does not affect those who have already acquired dual citizenship or who submitted their applications before the March 27 cutoff. However, Italian consulates have since paused processing applications and halted new citizenship appointments, creating uncertainty even for qualified applicants. The number of Italian Americans affected by these changes could easily range in the millions.
The new restrictions primarily impact Italian Americans who trace their lineage beyond grandparents — many of whom have been gathering documentation, waiting years for consular appointments, or pursuing court recognition in Italy. These efforts may now be nullified.
At the moment, it remains unclear how pending applications — particularly those of children and grandchildren — will be handled.
Critics say the government may have overstepped its authority. In Italy, emergency decrees are permitted only in urgent situations and must include a clear justification for immediate action. Some legal scholars argue there was no true emergency here — no war, disaster, or constitutional threat — and that the decree may be struck down by Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, if it is found to be an abuse of power.
Related story: Italy Revamps Dual Citizenship Law and Triggers Viral Outcry
According to Tajani, the measure was needed to stem an overwhelming surge in applications. He claims over 60,000 legal cases are currently pending related to dual citizenship, and alleges that many applications may involve fraud or improper documentation. The government argues the decree is necessary to restore order and efficiency to a backlogged system.
But organizations like COPOMIAO and ISDA are not convinced. They say the measure unfairly punishes honest applicants — many of whom have spent years collecting documents, hiring lawyers, and pursuing citizenship through the courts — simply because they fall beyond an arbitrary generational cutoff.
The emergency decree is valid for 60 days. If the Italian Parliament does not formally approve it within that time, it will expire. Already, some members of the ruling coalition have expressed concern and urged further debate, especially in light of the global outcry from Italian diaspora communities.
COPOMIAO and ISDA are urging Italian Americans to take action. A petition to oppose the decree is gaining momentum, with nearly 100,000 signatures gathered. Advocates say pressure from the global Italian community is vital if there is to be any hope of reversing or amending the new policy.
As Basil Russo, president of COPOMIAO and ISDA, noted: “This is not just about passports. It’s about heritage, identity, and justice for the millions who have maintained a cultural and familial connection to Italy for generations.”