‘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
The law that reshaped identity
In March 2025, Italy enacted a sweeping reform to its citizenship by descent policy, upending the lives of those who had long relied on ancestral ties to claim their heritage. The change, implemented via emergency decree, aimed to address the growing number of individuals who had never resided in the country. However, for many like Kellen Matwick, it felt like a sudden shift that left their future in doubt.
A family’s leap of faith
Matwick, whose great-grandparents hailed from central Italy, had dreamed of reuniting with his roots. Alongside his wife Jacqueline and their two children, the family relocated to Italy in August 2024, celebrating their new chapter. Yet, the law change—announced without prior warning—undermined their plans. With no grace period for those already in the process, they now face uncertainty in their daily lives.
Uncertain status and lost opportunities
The Matwicks, who had previously lived in New York City, chose Italy over Spain for their move. While both options were viable, the promise of citizenship by descent seemed a more stable path. They believed the process would grant their children a seamless transition into Italian culture. But this assumption shattered when the government issued a new circular in October 2025, disqualifying thousands of Americans from claiming their heritage.
Steps that once secured a future
Before the law change, the process for Italo-descendants involved securing a long-term rental, registering with local authorities, and obtaining a residency permit. These steps, which had taken years for others, were seen as manageable by the Matwicks. They moved to Turin, submitted their documents immediately, and waited for approval. “It didn’t seem like a risk,” Jacqueline recalled. “The process has existed for decades.”
Disappointment in the face of bureaucracy
Two years of preparation led to a one-way flight to Italy, only to be met with delays. The family’s initial efforts were met with a lack of response from officials. “August, so nobody responded,” Jacqueline said. “I messaged again in three weeks, and they told us to come in the middle of October.” By then, the legal framework had shifted, and their path to citizenship was blocked. “We said, ‘Let’s do it the right way,’” Kellen explained. “We treated it like an actual move, chose the city we wanted. Now I feel so stupid—because we did it the right way, we got penalized.”
A policy that traps dreamers
The law’s reversal has left families like the Matwicks stranded. They had uprooted their lives, sold possessions, and invested in a future they believed was guaranteed. Yet, without a clear path forward, they now grapple with uncertain immigration status and limited access to essential services. For those who once saw Italy as a homecoming, the new rules have turned the dream into a legal dilemma.
