Limits Federal Judges to Natural-Born Citizens
HR7634-119 · Introduced Feb 20, 2026
Why it matters
Judges who hold citizenship in another country would have to give it up within 60 days or leave the bench. Future judges born abroad or naturalized citizens would be barred from serving.
What it does
- Says no one can be appointed a federal judge unless they are a natural-born U.S. citizen
- Requires current judges who hold foreign citizenship to renounce it within 60 days
- Judges who do not renounce foreign citizenship in time may not stay in office
In committee
Next: a committee vote
- Introduceddone
- Committeecurrent step
- Housenot yet
- Senatenot yet
- Presidentnot yet
About this bill
Would limit federal judgeships to natural-born U.S. citizens and require judges with foreign citizenship to renounce it within 60 days or leave office.
Judicial Loyalty Act of 2026
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Some groups focused on national loyalty would likely say judges should owe allegiance only to the United States. They may argue that a single nationality avoids conflicts of interest.
💬 The case against
Legal and immigrant rights groups would likely say the bill excludes naturalized citizens from serving. They may also argue a 60-day deadline is too short to give up citizenship.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this federal bill are at the source link.
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