Mexico Senate Approves Ban on Dual Nationals for Presidency, Governorships

Mexico's Senate approved a constitutional reform on Tuesday that bars dual nationals from running for president, state governor, or Mexico City mayor. The measure passed with 86 votes in favor and 42 against, backed by the ruling Morena party and its allies. The bill now goes to state congresses for ratification.

The changes to Articles 82, 116, and 122 require candidates for those three offices to be Mexican by birth and to renounce any other nationality before registering. Senator Saúl Monreal said the rule applies only to those top executive posts and does not alter the general recognition of dual nationality in place since 1997.

“We want to guarantee that whoever is president of the Republic does not kneel, does not bow before any flag but Mexico's.”

Morena Senator Margarita Valdéz argued the reform ensures the president "does not kneel before any flag but Mexico's." Green Party Senator Luis Alfonso Silva said it clarifies loyalty for the highest magistrates without criminalizing migrants.

Opposition senators from PRI, PAN, and Movimiento Ciudadano warned the measure restricts the political rights of Mexicans born or living abroad. PRI coordinator Alejandro Moreno announced his caucus voted against it.

The American Society of Mexico (AmSoc), representing U.S. business interests, rejected the reform. President Larry Rubin called it a "grave error" and said dual nationality does not determine loyalty. AmSoc urged legislators to guarantee democratic inclusion for millions of dual-national Mexicans.

PAN Senator Ivideliza Reyes questioned the priority of the reform, accusing the government of targeting critics like former Tamaulipas governor Cabeza de Vaca and businessman Salinas Pliego. She also noted Morena named Jasmin Bugarín as a state coordinator despite her dual nationality.