‘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

Kellen Matwick, his wife Jacqueline, and their two children arrived in Italy in August 2024 with the hope of starting a new chapter. The family, whose great-grandparents hailed from central Italy, had chosen the country as a way to reconnect with their heritage. But their dreams were upended by a sudden shift in Italian citizenship rules, which took effect on March 28, 2025. This change, recently bolstered by Italy’s constitutional court, has left many in a state of uncertainty. The Matwicks, who had relocated from New York City to Arizona before deciding to emigrate, found themselves trapped in a legal limbo that disrupted their daily lives.

The law, enacted via emergency decree, aimed to address the growing number of citizens by descent who had never resided in Italy. However, for Matwick, it meant the collapse of a long-held aspiration. He and his family had moved to Italy to complete the process of reclaiming their heritage status, only to face new hurdles. With no grace period provided for those already in the country, they could not apply for jobs, travel freely, or access healthcare without clear legal standing. The rule change has left them stranded, their efforts to rebuild their lives now overshadowed by bureaucratic setbacks.

For those affected, the law’s shift presented a dilemma: wait and see or abandon their plans. The Matwicks, who had left behind their careers and sold their possessions, chose to stay. Their decision was based on the belief that Italy’s citizenship process would be straightforward. “We thought the path was clear,” said Kellen. “We treated it like a real move, chose a city we wanted to call home, and did everything they asked.” Yet, their efforts were met with delays and confusion.

Upon arriving in Turin, the family began the process of gathering documents to prove their descent. It took two years to complete, but the final step—submitting paperwork to local authorities—was not as simple as they anticipated. They emailed their intent to claim citizenship the day after landing, only to be told to wait until October. By then, the Italian government had issued a circular that rendered thousands of Americans ineligible. The Matwicks, who had meticulously followed the process, now feel caught in a system that penalizes them for their dedication.

“It didn’t seem like a risk—the process has existed for decades,” said Jacqueline. “We said, ‘Let’s do it the right way.’ Now I feel so stupid because we did everything they wanted, and we got penalized.”

The journey to reclaim citizenship by descent had once been a streamlined path for Italo-descendants. It required a long-term rental contract, registration with local authorities, and a residency permit, all before presenting documents for final recognition. Until the 2025 law, citizenship was considered automatic from birth. Now, the process is fraught with delays, as authorities scrutinize each case more rigorously. For the Matwicks, this has meant a two-year wait with no guarantees, their dream of reuniting with their roots now entangled in administrative chaos.