‘We did everything they wanted’: The American families caught in Italy’s citizenship crackdown
‘We did everything they wanted’: The American families caught in Italy’s citizenship crackdown
Law Change Displaces Millions of Italo-Descendants
In March 2025, Italy’s government implemented a new law targeting citizenship by descent, a policy shift that left many like Kellen feeling disheartened. The legislation, introduced through an emergency decree, aimed to curb the rising number of individuals claiming Italian heritage who had never resided in the country. However, the change disrupted the lives of American families who had long dreamed of reconnecting with their ancestral roots.
A Dream Turned Into Uncertainty
Kellen Matwick, his wife Jacqueline, and their two children made the decision to relocate to Italy in August 2024. For Matwick, whose great-grandparents emigrated from central Italy to Pennsylvania, the move was a step toward reclaiming his heritage. But the new law, enacted without prior warning, upended this plan. The Matwicks had moved to Italy to begin the citizenship process, only to find the rules altered before their paperwork was finalized.
With no provision for a grace period, they were left in a state of legal limbo. Unable to secure employment, travel freely, or access healthcare, they now face a future of uncertainty. The law’s abrupt implementation has left them stranded, their hopes dashed by a system they believed would support their return to Italy.
Bureaucratic Maze and Dilemma
For American families with Italian ancestry, the process of claiming citizenship involves navigating a complex web of bureaucratic steps. Arrivals must first secure a long-term rental, register with local authorities—a process taking up to 45 days—and obtain a residency permit from the police. Only then can they submit their documentation to be recognized as citizens, a status previously granted automatically at birth.
Matwick and his family opted for this method, believing it would streamline their transition. After two years of gathering proof of their lineage, they arrived in Turin. The next day, they emailed city officials to declare their intent. But responses were delayed, with the authorities instructing them to return in October. By then, the government had already issued a circular that rendered thousands of Americans ineligible for citizenship.
A Choice Between Risk and Reward
When the law changed, the Matwicks had two options: wait and see or abandon their plans. They chose the latter, uprooting their lives in Arizona and selling possessions to fund the move. “We treated it like an actual relocation,” said Kellen. “We got an apartment, planned for the kids to learn Italian, and aimed to live a genuine Italian life. We did everything they wanted us to. Now I feel so stupid—because we did it the right way, we got penalized.”
“It didn’t seem like a risk—the process has existed for decades,” remarked Jacqueline. “But now, everything feels uncertain.”
The law’s impact extends beyond individual cases. Millions of Americans with Italian roots have been left in a precarious position, their hopes for a smoother reintegration into Italy’s society now complicated by new regulations. As the constitutional court this month signaled its backing for the policy, the Matwicks’ story reflects a broader struggle for those who followed their ancestors’ footsteps into a new chapter of life.
