Petition to Make Renouncing U.S. Citizenship Free for All

Thousands of Americans living abroad, as well as those who no longer wish to be U.S. citizens, face unfair financial barriers when trying to renounce their citizenship. The $2,350 renunciation fee—the highest in the world—makes it nearly impossible for many to exercise their fundamental right to expatriation. Additionally, those deemed “covered expatriates” are subjected to an exit tax on unrealized gains, even if they have lived abroad for decades and have no meaningful ties to the U.S. These policies disproportionately affect retirees, long-term expatriates, dual citizens, and those facing complex U.S. tax burdens abroad. Many of these individuals do not benefit from U.S. citizenship but are stuck with it because they cannot afford to renounce it.

At a time when the U.S. government is prioritizing immigration enforcement and working to remove individuals who are in the country unlawfully, it is contradictory and counterproductive to impose financial and bureaucratic hurdles on those who voluntarily wish to leave. If these barriers remain, the U.S. will continue to hold onto unwilling citizens while simultaneously spending billions on deportation efforts for those deemed undesirable. Eliminating the renunciation fee and exit tax would align with the government’s current immigration priorities by reducing the number of people under U.S. jurisdiction who do not want to be citizens. Allowing individuals to renounce freely would also reduce administrative burdens on U.S. agencies, as these individuals would no longer be subject to complex tax compliance requirements or consular services.

Now is the time to act because the U.S. immigration debate is at a boiling point, with a government that is aggressively enforcing removal policies yet maintaining outdated, punitive restrictions on those who seek to leave on their own accord. The renunciation fee was raised sixfold in 2014 without justification, and the number of people seeking to expatriate continues to grow. With increasing globalization, mobility, and geopolitical tensions, the right to choose one’s nationality should be respected, not financially restricted. We demand that the renunciation fee be eliminated and the exit tax abolished for those seeking to expatriate. If the government is serious about reducing unwanted citizens and streamlining immigration policies, this change is an obvious and necessary step. Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to take immediate action and uphold the right to freely choose one’s nationality.