US Families Challenge Italy's Citizenship Law in Court

Case could clarify rights of millions of Italian descendants seeking citizenship.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:04pm

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A detailed, realistic painting of an old Italian passport or citizenship document, its pages open and illuminated by warm, directional light, evoking a sense of personal history and the complex legacy of Italian immigration.The citizenship rights of millions of Italian-Americans hang in the balance as their families challenge Italy's new restrictive law in the country's highest court.Salina Today

A group of US families is contesting a recent Italian law that restricts citizenship by descent in Italy's highest court. The case involves descendants of some 14 million Italians who emigrated between 1877 and 1914, and could clarify the citizenship rights of those with Italian ancestry.

Why it matters

The new Italian law has put restrictions on the ability of descendants of Italian emigrants to claim citizenship, which has impacted many Americans with Italian heritage. This case could set an important precedent regarding the citizenship rights of these individuals.

The details

In March 2025, the Italian government passed a decree that changed previous rules allowing anyone who could prove ancestry after Italy's formation in 1861 to seek citizenship. The new law has halted citizenship claims for many with Italian ancestry. The case before Italy's highest court was brought by several US families seeking to overturn the law and clarify their citizenship rights.

  • The new Italian law restricting citizenship by descent was passed in March 2025.
  • Italy's constitutional court ruled the new law is valid last month.
  • The case is now being heard by Italy's highest court.

The players

Avv. Riccardo Mellone

The lawyer representing the US families in the case before Italy's highest court.

Karen Bonadio

One of the US individuals involved in the case, who is seeking to claim Italian citizenship based on her Italian ancestry.

Jennifer Daly

Another US individual involved in the case, whose grandfather immigrated to the US from Italy in 1912.

Alexis Traino

A 34-year-old US resident waiting for documents to claim Italian citizenship when the new law passed, blocking her case.

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What they’re saying

“The families involved in this case are simply descendants ... from an Italian ancestor who emigrated in the late 19th century to the United States, like millions of other people, of other Italians. Today they are invoking their right to Italian citizenship.”

— Avv. Riccardo Mellone, Lawyer

“The new law says, 'all these great-grandchildren didn't know their great-grandparents.' This is from 1963, I think I was 3½.”

— Karen Bonadio

“It is truly a recognition of who I am, where I am from. It's so much more than citizenship. It's everything.”

— Jennifer Daly, Retired History Professor

“My entire life, I grew up knowing — and my parents always emphasized — that I was Italian. I had a very, very strong connection with Italy. I want to be Italian. I want to contribute to Italy and be a citizen.”

— Alexis Traino

What’s next

The Italian Supreme Court will rule on the case, which could set an important precedent regarding the citizenship rights of descendants of Italian emigrants.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and evolving citizenship laws in Italy, and the impact they can have on individuals with Italian ancestry living abroad. The outcome could affect millions of people seeking to reconnect with their Italian heritage.