Reform barring future presidents, governors from holding dual nationality passes Senate

The Mexican Senate has approved a constitutional reform establishing a requirement of exclusive Mexican nationality for those aspiring to the presidency, a state governorship or the head of government of Mexico City.

The bill, championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, was approved by the Senate with 86 votes in favor — from the ruling party Morena, the PT and the PVEM — and 42 against, cast by members of the PAN, the PRI and Movimiento Ciudadano (MC). 

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Approved in both general and specific terms by a qualified majority, the bill now needs to be ratified by at least 17 state legislatures, where Morena also holds parliamentary majorities. 

If approved, the law would come into force starting in 2028 to avoid affecting those seeking a governorship in next year’s elections. Nor will it affect those already holding such positions at the time the law enters into force.   

Morena Senator Óscar Cantón stated that the reform does not eliminate any political rights or cancel any nationality. Rather, it seeks to prevent “temptations, ambitions and betrayals” against the people of Mexico, as occurred in the regimes of Antonio López de Santa Anna (1853-1855) and Porfirio Díaz, who stayed in power for over 30 years (1877-1880 and 1884-191).

PAN Senator Laura Esquivel Torres said that this amendment to the Constitution sends the message that “migrants are less Mexican and do not have the same rights.” 

Echoing her statement, PRI Senator Alejandro Moreno said that holding another nationality does not make anyone an enemy of the nation, and that claiming a document determines loyalty is “a dangerous notion and an insult to our fellow citizens.”

Meanwhile, PT Senator Lizeth Sánchez said that the reform seeks to defend Mexico’s sovereignty, because external pressures influence decisions that belong to the Mexican people.

Sheinbaum has said that no president should have “two flags” or “two peoples” to respond to. For her, the heads of the executive power must maintain an exclusive legal and political loyalty to the Mexican state.

Surprisingly, two Morena Senators born in the United States voted in favor of the reform.

Senator Ricardo Sheffield acknowledged having been born in Los Angeles, California, and confirmed that his father was American, though he denied holding that citizenship himself — despite the fact that his siblings do. 

Senator Javier Corral was born in El Paso, Texas, while Senator Cecilia Guadiana (also with Morena), who has been alleged to hold U.S. citizenship, requested a leave of absence for Sept. 29 and 30 and did not participate in the vote.