Italy's government on March 28th abruptly issued an urgent decree that drastically tightened the country's citizenship-by-descent rules, sending shockwaves throughout much of the Italian diaspora.
The move, which the government said would not apply retroactively but would affect all applications going forward, is believed to have stripped tens of millions of people of the right to apply for Italian citizenship iure sanguinis.
READ ALSO: Q&A: How Italy’s rules for claiming citizenship by descent have changed
Under the previous system, Italy placed no generational limit on citizenship by descent claims.
Bar a few exceptions, the only restriction was that no one in the line of descent lost or renounced their Italian citizenship before the next generation was born.
Under the new rules, however, only people with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy, or with an Italian parent who lived in Italy for a minimum of two continuous years, will now qualify for citizenship by descent.
Earlier this week, we asked our readers to tell us their views on the change in law and how they were affected by it.
Dozens of people from around the world have since responded to our survey. Here's what they told us.
'I missed the deadline by a day'
Several readers shared dramatic stories of having been in the process of filing citizenship applications that had been years in the making when they learned they would no longer be eligible under the new rules.
"The very day the change in jus sanguinis was made, I was preparing to wire money to my Italian lawyer to begin the legal process of recognition," said Christopher Massari in the US, who says he spent five years gathering documents.
"As I was preparing to leave for the bank and wire my funds, the change was released, and it was devastating."
J Pally in the US, who was granted Italian citizenship in 2009 and spent three years preparing their daughter and grandchildren's documentation, had a similar story: they were preparing to file as the news came through.
"I literally missed the deadline by a day," they said. "I am extremely disappointed."
Despite the government's assurances that the decree would not apply to people who had already put in an application, Nancy Consalvo Burger in Colorado said she and her partner were immediately rejected under the new rules.
READ ALSO: Why has Italy clamped down on citizenship by descent claims?
"It’s very unfair to those of us who did everything according to the rules and still were rejected," she said.
Others had plans to travel to Italy to apply in person.
Asher Texeira said that as a transgender person living in the US, they were particularly motivated to apply for Italian citizenship given the current political climate, and had planned to fly out in the next few days.
"There are increasing safety concerns for transgender individuals in the US," they said. "Italian citizenship was an option for safety for me."
'My dreams have been shattered'
Many readers described the frustration they felt after spending thousands of euros on professionals and devoting years to the citizenship process only to be shut out at the last moment.
READ ALSO: 'Devastating': How new citizenship rules blindsided descendants of Italians worldwide
"I have spent three years and over $2,000 collecting the information needed to prove my Italian citizenship... NOW they change the law and by one generation, I no longer qualify!" said Michael Campisi in Texas.
"I would say I do not have the words to express my anger, but I do. I just can't use them here."
"I have spent thousands of dollars to procure an Italian lawyer and specialists to obtain all the necessary documents for dual Italian citizenship by descent," said Marie Velasco in San Diego.
"My heart is broken and my dreams of retiring in Italy have been shattered."
More than the time and money, however, respondents regretted the lost opportunities that Italian citizenship would have represented.
"I wanted to move my cyber security company from the United States over to Italy where I would then raise my two small children with my wife," said James in the US.
"We were ready to leave the United States and return to our motherland and may not be able to."
Christopher Massari had hoped to bring his Jiu-Jitsu business to Italy.
"That was my dream," he said. "I also wanted to find a way to build a small wine business between Abruzzo and where I live in New Jersey."
"My plans have been ruined," said Philadelphia resident William Malfaro, who had wanted to bring his family to live with him in Italy.
"I obtained my citizenship by descent in 2023 and had all documents gathered for my five children (all over 18) and my 14 grandchildren.
"They have been cut off from their homeland. I am buying a house in Calabria and now I will be alone."
'Nerve-racking and heartbreaking'
The splitting up of families as a result of the rule change was a common concern among readers.
"My plans were to buy a home in Italy. My children want to move there a few years after me. They are no longer eligible to become citizens," said US citizen Chrissie G.
"One of my adult children received her Italian citizenship almost immediately after I did... However, now it’s unclear to me if my two remaining adult kids can do the same as their sibling to acquire theirs," said Mariann M in the US.
Some younger readers worried about the impact the decree would have on their small or even unborn children.
"I already obtained citizenship for myself and my two kids... However my third child that we are pregnant with will no longer qualify," said Boston resident Jonathan Ciccarone.
"My brother who was recognized with me who just had a newborn son cannot pass the citizenship on," added Bryce Ciccaglione in Connecticut.
One reader said the rule change may even impact when she and her partner choose to have a family.
"We don’t want to wait as age is a factor here but we may have to until we move so the child is a citizen in the country where they will grow up," said Jessica in Chicago.
For many, the uncertainty around exactly what the decree might mean for them was a major source of tension.
"It's all unclear at this point. Am waiting for clarification from my avvocato as to whether I am still eligible. Sono molto stressata!" said Elizabeth Davenport in the US.
"My sister and I were planning to apply for Italian citizenship in Italy this coming summer, with my two sons. We want to learn Italian, move to Italy, become citizens and contribute to our favourite country!" added Valerie Milo in Texas.
"It's nerve-racking and heartbreaking."
Thank you to everyone who replied to The Local's survey.
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