U.S. Congressman Michael Rulli of Ohio, who co-chairs the Italian American Congressional Delegation, delivered the keynote address at the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations’ Annual Summit on June 7, 2025, held at the Italian American Museum in New York City’s Little Italy. Rulli pledged his support to reestablish dual citizenship eligibility for millions of Italian Americans, and to fight for Columbus Day on the federal level.
The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), led by ISDA President Basil Russo, held its Annual Summit on June 7 in the heart of Little Italy at NYC’s Italian American Museum.
At the summit, Russo and his peers were unanimous in approving a new resolution that steps up the Italian American community’s fight for dual citizenship rights.
The resolution authorizes a coordinated campaign of bipartisan lobbying in both the U.S. and Italy, and expanded public awareness efforts. Russo emphasized that unless the law is amended to restore eligibility for great‑grandchildren and further descendants, the organization will maintain sustained pressure until the policy is reversed.
“This can’t be the last word on dual citizenship for Italian Americans,” said Russo. “Our roots and our motherland are the cornerstones of our heritage and values. This connection will not be permanently severed on our watch.”
COPOMIAO’s latest ally in this legal fight is U.S. Congressman Michael Rulli from Ohio, who, during his keynote address at the summit, voiced his full support for the reversal of these restrictions. Rulli has held conversations with members of the Italian Parliament on walking back the restrictions for Americans of Italian descent.
“Italian Americans deserve a living, legal connection to their heritage. I stand with the millions whose lineage reaches beyond these arbitrary new cutoffs, and I will continue working with leaders in Italy to reverse this unjust law,” said Rep. Rulli. “At the same time, we must codify Columbus Day — not just to honor our roots, but to recognize the spirit of exploration, achievement, and resilience that defines our community. Italian Americans helped build this nation’s cultural, scientific, and civic foundations — often while enduring discrimination and hardship. To deny us even one day of recognition, a day established in the wake of the largest mass lynching in American history, is not just wrong — it’s deeply offensive.”
Under the new law, only the children or grandchildren of Italian citizens may apply for dual citizenship to Italy. Great-grandchildren — and all subsequent generations beyond them — are no longer eligible.
Literally overnight, on March 28, 2025, the Italian government issued an emergency decree known as the “Citizenship Package” that stated only the children and grandchildren of Italian citizens were eligible for dual citizenship.
Championed by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the measure took immediate effect. On May 20, the Italian Parliament confirmed the law, making the restrictions permanent.
The new law does not affect Italian Americans who have already acquired dual citizenship or who submitted their applications to Italian consulates on or before the March 27 cutoff.
Many who have spent years collecting, translating and notarizing documents find themselves at a dead end — for now.
Over the weekend, Italian citizens voted on a referendum that, if passed, would have overturned the controversial dual citizenship law; however, insufficient turnout resulted in its defeat.