The idea of dual citizenship is difficult for many Americans to get their heads around, including me. People whose parents were forced out of Nazi Germany, if they meet the right conditions, can get German citizenship. The benefits include being able to live and work in the European Union (EU) without going through complex work permit paperwork. My son, after dealing with the Danish bureaucracy while working there for a year has suggested it would be nice to have.
For those of us who think of ourselves as citizens of the world and believe that human beings are human beings wherever they live, perhaps getting a second citizenship is the first step to living that ideal.
The US State Department says:
The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy.Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.
A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth.U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.
Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct.The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.
However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there.Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship.Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.
Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
Looking around the web, I see that some liken dual citizenship to bigamy. I think for some it's more like a Yankee fan also rooting for Boston. But what if you have dual citizenship with a close ally of your home country? More and more countries are allowing dual citizenship, though some, like Holland, are pulling back.
Californians elected dual-passport holder Arnold Schwartzenegger (Austria) and but Michele Bachman (Switzerland) decided keeping her Swiss passport wasn't a good idea when she was running for president.
Clearly, it's a very emotional issue for people whether they are for it or against it. Anyone perceived as leaving 'their group' whether it be a business, a religion, or a country may be perceived by some members of the original group to be a traitor. I suspect that has more to do with the offended person's issues than those of the person leaving. And, of course, dual citizenship isn't actually leaving.
Congratulations to Jacob.
My family members are eligible for this type of dual citizenship since my father fled Nazi Germany. It is unlikely that any of my father's children will apply, but two members of my extended family have completed the process and now have dual citizenship. I imagine that a handful of my father's grandchildren will apply as well. From what I understand, once one family member has applied, the process is easier for relatives. I love the idea of dual citizenship. It is becoming an ex pat (perpetual tourist?) that bothers me.
ReplyDeleteUAA readings continued to be fun to attend. Zach Rogow .. good!
Jessica
My brother, his wife (both born in US) and his son (born in Australia) all have dual US/Australian citizenship. My late father never quite got over it; in his mind applying for another citizenship wasn't quite treason but certainly reprehensible. My brother always told him it was purely a citizenship of convenience; he traveled a lot and it was faster to clear immigration in Sydney with an Australian passport. I suspect there was more to it than that.
ReplyDeleteEven though there are times I'm ashamed of what my government is up to, I think I'd have a really hard time pledging allegiance to some other nation.
Frankly, I think patriotism has caused much more trouble & death & heartache than it's worth.
ReplyDeleteI have dual citizenship only because American laws changed since 1972 -- and I found out a few months ago -- until then I was chugging along as a "paper citizen' Canadian. No flag waving, just quietness about the whole thing. (Canada is pretty sane in comparison to U.S.) So now I have to file two Revenue reports. BUT I can vote and contribute $ for Obama. :D
I want to be a citizen of the world, not pegged in one arbitrary country or another, or two (as it is at the moment). But what are you gonna do? Countries are a convenient filing system for the Rulers.
I added my picture -- me at 9 years old with a band aid on my leg -- but crop only shows my torso... how to fix? the whole stance is priceless when you see my two goofy puffy ponytails and smile. o well.
DeleteClick on my name above , then Click on VIEW FULL SIZE. Da-DA.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, so finally we meet as dual-citizens of the world! Have you received your certified god-hating, America-hating deputy do-right card in the post yet? I haven't quite saved enough socialist swill box-top coupons for mine yet.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm writing a reply to Steve's post as he still hasn't got my name right... (I think he blocks all things German -- it's Brause, Steve; Eugene is the Dugan guy by his father, who's really very Irish). Smile, grin, it's okay.
How quickly we are forgotten once we've left the room, but Art! it is eternal!
Hi-Ho Jacob. We meet at last.
DeleteI look just the same as my picture, only older. :D
Congrats on your choice of country. I can only wish you well.
My husband is from the UK (Devon).
I rest finished reach by 4th or 5th Tim Moore book, "You Are Awful, But I Like you --
Travels Though Unloved Britain"
Grim but funny.
And whatever your name is, I like your style.
Oh, for confused readers everywhere, it's Jacob Dugan-Brause, which is why it's all so very complicated -- having an unrecognised in the USA marriage from Canada that IS recognised in Britain is a major reason Eugene and I left the states -- just didn't want to wait for the land of the free and home of justice to finally live out its promise and all that. So moving from one's home country is like that.
ReplyDeleteBecoming a citizen here, I am a citizen with all my civil rights. That's important to me -- kinda like real, country-western-singing, god-fearing, freedom-loving Americans should be, right? Except I must not be, cause I left the USA for something better.
Best to everyone in the struggle in the old country. I will still vote there, and I am still American by birth. But now, I'm British by choice.
Jessica, interesting story. I'd like to talk to your relatives who got German citizenship sometime. And I just couldn't get to the Thursday reading. Glad Rogow (and I hope the others) was good.
ReplyDeleteKathy, Your comment here, along with the others, is showing that probably a lot more people than is generally realized - people we know - have dual citizenship.
Barbara - Ditto Kathy response. And for thumbnails, face pics, or at least closeups, do better. But after clicking your name, I see a photo that does look like it's from a different era!
Jacob, Maybe I was subconsciously avoiding spelling it wrong again. What can I say? Mea Culpa!!! I fixed it, but in a way that acknowledges lets everyone know I didn't get it right the first time. Maybe next time. I also decided the bears were fine the way they were.
Apologies for my comment here as I had sent a private email earlier... just a bit concerned people who knew me might get a bit confused.
DeleteYears ago a reporter told me the fact she made sure she got right was the spelling of people's names she interviewed. I readily accept your checking other facts as much more important to our mutual public process here.
Thanks.
I appreciate your generosity here Jacob, but the reporter you talked to was right. I should get the names right. And I do work at it. More so, I guess, with people I don't know. [And I can't fix the extra word (acknowledges) I left in the comment without having it repost after your comment, so I'll leave it as it is.
ReplyDelete