In another thread, there was some discussion of dual citizenship.

I am curious to know three things:

1. Do you think that immigrants should be required to renounce their original nationality at the time of naturalization?

2. Do you think that native born American citizens should be required to renounce their secondary nationality, if they are aware of it?

3. Do you think that it should be illegal for an American to buy a second nationality?

My personal position is that dual citizenship creates small advantages for America with no real costs.

So, for me, "no" on each of the three questions.

My bet is that this thread will come down as 80% "yes."

For full disclosure, I was born with both American and Italian citizenship, and I was not even aware of the latter until I was 39 years old. This story is astonishingly common. Legally speaking, the population of "legal diaspora Italians" is probably equal to the territorial population of Italy (50m).

Vestal_Flame said:

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In another thread, there was some discussion of dual citizenship.

I am curious to know three things:

1. Do you think that immigrants should be required to renounce their original nationality at the time of naturalization?

2. Do you think that native born American citizens should be required to renounce their secondary nationality, if they are aware of it?

3. Do you think that it should be illegal for an American to buy a second nationality?

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1 - mostly yes, although i'm fine with a few exceptions (like UK or Canada)

2 - no

3 - no, if you have the money to buy yourself an island passport then go right ahead

I don't know what the pros and cons are of dual citizenship. So any opinion I'd offer is just an emotional reaction.

For the average sucker (voter), I say 'no'

If you're an elected official in state or federal level, 100% yes

Get rid of the riff raff like Omar that seem to have a real problem pledging allegiance to the country they reside in and grift from

Vestal_Flame said:

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For full disclosure, I was born with both American and Italian citizenship, and I was not even aware of the latter until I was 39 years old. This story is astonishingly common. Legally speaking, the population of "legal diaspora Italians" is probably equal to the territorial population of Italy (50m).

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I would be very wary of any "Surprise, you may already be a citizen!". To me, it would just seem a backdoor to taxing you even if you don't live in the country (like the US does to its citizens living overseas). I'm not sure I would see the point of pursuing a secondary citizenship unless you wanted to retire to that country.

BMX Bandit said:

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can anyone give a reason why you need to be a dual citizen?

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Owning or even accessing your property in a foreign country can be a pain in the ass if you're not a citizen.

My wife was born in Canada and owns some acreage in Nova Scotia. She retains her Canadian citizenship for that reason. If forced to renounce she would. She holds no allegiance to that political/economic hellscape.

5.

Quote:

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Owning or even accessing your property in a foreign country can be a pain in the ass if you're not a citizen.

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I hear that this is also the case in Mexico.

I'm a native born American, I also have a Mexican passport. Sorta just got it to get it but I think it's nice to have. To your last question, also no. I want live in Portugal at some point in my life and am working towards a golden Visa/citizenship.

I own property in Mexico. It's a pain in the ass even with citizenship.

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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No (answering thread title)
Yes
Yes
Yes

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Ditto.

You should have two choices.

a) American
b) Other

Not both.

NO. Dual citizenship is just fine. But, I would be ok with federal officials having to renounce.

With members of Trump's own family being dual citizens I doubt he would move on this. If it was only Melania maybe but with Baron also being one I don't see him going after it.

No problem with dual citizenship for US born citizens. For an immigrant gaining US citizenship? Maybe. For elected officials, no.

I understand and agree with the need to resist illegal immigration. If you want to come in, you need to get in line like everybody else and play by the rules.

This issue seems to be trying to find something to be mad about when there's not really a problem. People with dual citizenship play by the rules, pay their taxes, and don't end up on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

If we were back in the days of primitive battles where your declared allegiance determined whether you should embrace or attack someone else, I could understand it, but this isn't that.

For the record, I don't have dual citizenship. I know many people who do, and they are great Americans.

Own property in Mexico and haven't had an issue. Colombia and Argentina make it far more difficult than Mexico.

Having a second passport for Europe travel is amazing.

I have 3. Colombia USA and Spain

1. Do you think that immigrants should be required to renounce their original nationality at the time of naturalization?

Yes, if you want to be an American citizen then you should be required to renounce your other citizenships

2. Do you think that native born American citizens should be required to renounce their secondary nationality, if they are aware of it?

Yes. If a child is born as a dual citizen, then he can remain a dual citizen until he reaches the age of 18, at which time he must declare the country he wishes to be a citizen.

3. Do you think that it should be illegal for an American to buy a second nationality?

Each country should be able to make its own laws regarding citizenship. If a country wants to allow foreigners to buy citizenship then they should have that authority. However, if an American citizen wishes to become a citizen of another country, whether purchased or otherwise, then he should lose his U.S. citizenship at the time he becomes a citizen of the other country.


Citizenship should not be something taken lightly. No one should have loyalty to one country and then be allowed to become a citizen of another country in order to vote, run for office, and have an equal say in the governance of a country and have the same privileges as someone who was born and raised in the country.

One advantage I can think of for the US. If a dual citizenship holder commits and is convicted of a serious crime we just deport them so we don't have to pay for their care and feeding.

Tramp96 said:

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Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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No (answering thread title)
Yes
Yes
Yes

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Ditto.

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Ditto

Squadron7 said:

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One advantage I can think of for the US. If a dual citizenship holder commits and is convicted of a serious crime we just deport them so we don't have to pay for their care and feeding.

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You would deport an American citizen? No civilized country has done this in 75 years.

The answer to this question would be different if our nation was about a single culture, demographic, or people.

Our nation is not.

It is a nation of ideas. Anyone that can commit to those ideas are welcome.

Get on board or get out.

I don't see a problem with dual citizenship. It's like someone having red hair.

Them having it does nothing, pro or con, to me.

Yes
Yes
No - I'm hedging here because I would want an out if/when this country goes so far left that I need an escape plan. My options here would obviously be limited, but I want the option. I would renounce my citizenship if this worst case scenario were to happen because there would be no reason to come back.

I keep and use my Mex passport frequently. There are some tax and legal benefits to having other citizenships.

The main reason I keep and use my Mex passport is if you get in trouble/have an issue the Mexican embassies and consular authorities will actually help you and support you. I have seen it for years and in many cases.

If you have a problem in a foreign country as a US citizen, good luck. You will be fairly lucky to even talk to anyone at an embassy. I have seen the previous my entire life when living out of the country.

BMX Bandit said:

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can anyone give a reason why you need to be a dual citizen?

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I'm not saying this justifies it...but there are some reasons.

I am friends with some dual citizens. in every case, they are proud Americans, and the day they received their US citizenship, was a celebration of the highest order. But maintaining their citizenship, from their place of birth, does provide them some advantages.

It's obviously easier to visit 'home', being a citizen. And many of these people still have family that haven't immigrated. Sure, they could still visit without it, but some countries are more finicky about this than others. And without that 'ease'...many would prioritize bringing family over (who, in many cases, would be a drain on our system).

One of my friends, if he gave up his birth-citizenship, would lose all his retirement money (their version of SS). Another couple friends have businesses back home. Not being a citizen complicates matters greatly, with regards to the ownership of their business.

The money they receive is spent in the USA. I'd rather immigrants come to the States financially sound and self-sufficient; rather than with their hands out, like we so often see.

So all that to say, there is some benefit to maintaining their original birth-citizenship, even if they immigrate and assimilate here.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you obtain your Spanish passport? Also on my dream list.

I know that my uncle used an Irish passport when traveling to the Middle East to visit his daughter, her husband was in the Army stationed in the ME.

I know when I was traveling to/from Nepal and flying over Iran, I was really wishing I had gotten an Irish passport in case the plane had to make an emergency landing. This thread may inspire me to do so.

The best book that I have on this topic is The Golden Passport by Kristin Surak. Her intention was to study the market for citizenship by investment, and she ended up exploring the nature of dual citizenship in considerable detail.

I'd do it if I were you. Despite the naysayers, there is negative to having another passport should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need it.