Kamal Ghorui
A row erupted after American author Matt Forney suggested that the United States should ban dual citizenship, with Indian‑American commentator Sidharth rebutting him.Forney posted on X that naturalised US citizens should renounce any other citizenship within a year or face automatic denaturalisation. He also proposed that those with a second citizenship at birth must renounce it between the ages of 18 and 21, or lose their US citizenship. “There are too many countries—India and China being the biggest offenders—trying to use dual citizens to infiltrate and undermine America. Time for them to go,” Forney wrote.His post came after a report from Senators Tom Cotton and Rick Scott saying that 107 Chinese‑owned surrogacy agencies in Southern California were charging over $50,000 per birth to help children get US citizenship.At least 26 children were seized in one case linked to a single couple’s scheme, the report said. Senators Tom Cotton and Rick Scott sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi raising concerns about the exploitation of surrogacy and birthright citizenship by foreign nationals. Cotton posted on X, “Communist Chinese nationals shouldn’t be taking advantage of our surrogacy and birthright citizenship laws to access US passports.”Sidharth responded to Forney on X, criticising his remarks on India. “India does not offer dual citizenship. You are so obsessed with India that you keep pushing lies like this,” he wrote.Neither India nor China allow dual citizenship. The debate over dual citizenship in the US is highly divisive. Progressive and Democratic critics say banning it could violate the Constitution, punish ordinary citizens, and harm immigrants. Millions hold dual nationality without loyalty issues. However MAGA supporters argue it violates national security and risks discrimination.
