CHAT: dual nationality (was: race matters, etc.)

J Y S Czhang scripsit:

>     My father believes I still have rights to British citizenship because of
> being born in London, England before the Commonwealth laws about "dual
> citizenships" were conveniently altered to placate the American government.
Almost certainly.  Thus spake the U.S. State Department:

# 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.

--
John Cowan                                <jcowan@...>
http://www.reutershealth.com              http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
Yakka foob mog.  Grug pubbawup zink wattoom gazork.  Chumble spuzz.
    -- Calvin, giving Newton's First Law "in his own words"