The House of Representatives has modified a bill that seeks to amend and codify certain provisions of the Liberian Aliens and Nationality Law of 2022.
The bill, titled the Amended Aliens and Nationality Law of 2024, was unanimously passed during the third day of the second extraordinary session on Thursday, September 5, 2024, following thorough scrutiny and recommendations from the Judiciary Committee.
The bill was submitted by Representative Musa Hassan Bility of Electoral District 7, Nimba County, on February 13, 2024.
The enactment of the amended provisions aims to undertake a long-overdue general revision and modernization of the law.
It particularly focuses on citizenship, immigration, naturalization, employment, and gender equity.
It also seeks to provide a pathway for policies and regulations that will conform to domestic and global present-day realities.
The law, which has been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, will allow for a change in how Liberians and other nationals far and near will acquire nationality.
In 1973, the Aliens and Nationality Law prohibited dual nationality except in limited circumstances. However, there was no specific ban against having multiple nationalities in the constitution.
There was also no specific provision allowing dual nationality.
The constitution and nationality law conflicted. The constitution states that a child can hold dual nationality until majority, at which time they must renounce other affiliations.
In contrast, the nationality statute stated that if a person had taken a voluntary action such as behaving as a national of another state or swearing an oath of allegiance to another state or applying for naturalization in a foreign state, they could be deprived of Liberian status.
For example, a child born abroad in a country that automatically confers nationality based on jus soli to two Liberian parents would not have to renounce their foreign status.
In July 2022, former President George Weah signed an amendment to the Aliens and Nationality Law allowing for dual nationalities. This allows those who had previously lost citizenship due to obtaining citizenship in other countries to reclaim their Liberian citizenship.
Liberian citizens with dual nationalities, however, are prohibited from doing certain things, such as holding a number of elected public offices.
