Dual Citizenship Question

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Hello,

I'll be applying for naturalization in February. Having read the guide to naturalization, I have a question regarding dual citizenship:

I know that in practice, dual citizenships are fairly common, however:

If the oath of allegiance states that you absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, (etc ect)

How is that compatible with keeping your previous citizenship?

Saludos,

Caro

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I think it might be up to the country. I know Canada does not recognize verbal renunciation of citizenship so it doesn't matter to them if I say I will renounce it.

What does Argentina have to say about it?

Good luck

[nigel 7]

There was a topic on this just a few days ago...

Here is the link..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/291743-loss-of-citizenship/

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Dual citizenship always involves two countries and these countries' policies. The USA "tolerates" dual citizenship in a "don't ask -- don't tell kind of way, and you'll need to find out Argentina's position to this so that you can make an informed decision.

http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/08/dual-citizenship.html

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Hello,

I'll be applying for naturalization in February. Having read the guide to naturalization, I have a question regarding dual citizenship:

I know that in practice, dual citizenships are fairly common, however:

If the oath of allegiance states that you absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, (etc ect)

How is that compatible with keeping your previous citizenship?

This link here: http://www.800citizen.com/dualCitizenship.htm states that Argentina allows you to retain your citizenship.

Like others have said, some countries don't take a verbal statement as you renouncing it. You actually have to put it in writing.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Thank you all for your answers, and I appreciate the input but I think I wasn't clear enough on my question:

I know Argentina allows dual citizenship (In fact, having a dual Argentine-Italian or Argentine-Spanish citizenship is very common)

My question is more along the lines of: How can the process of naturalization include a swear under oath that you are giving up all previous allegiances, but still recognize dual citizenships?

@Justbob: You said that "The USA "tolerates" dual citizenship in a "don't ask -- don't tell kind of way" - But if the issue would come up in the future where it is evident that I have dual citizenship, will I be in trouble?

Saludos,

Caro

Edited January 23, 2011 by JVKn'CVO

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Thank you all for your answers, and I appreciate the input but I think I wasn't clear enough on my question:

I know Argentina allows dual citizenship (In fact, having a dual Argentine-Italian or Argentine-Spanish citizenship is very common)

My question is more along the lines of: How can the process of naturalization include a swear under oath that you are giving up all previous allegiances, but still recognize dual citizenships?

@Justbob: You said that "The USA "tolerates" dual citizenship in a "don't ask -- don't tell kind of way" - But if the issue would come up in the future where it is evident that I have dual citizenship, will I be in trouble?

No. You won't get into trouble. You're not the first nor will you be the last.

I personally agree with you. I don't think that particular part should be in there because I don't give up UK or Aussie, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the US as well.

I don't know how to answer your question in a manner that will appease you. I just know that dual and multi citizenships aren't an issue. When you're in the US you're a US citizen. When you're in your home country you're your home countries citizen and when you're elsewhere you pretty much get to choose.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You won't get into trouble because the US won't recognize dual citizenship. That doesn't mean you can't have it, it just means that once you are an American, the US will only recognize your American citizenship.

You can be a dual citizen, but don't expect the US to recognize it

Good luck

[NickD 202]

Because the DOS puts your place of birth on your US passport, you have no choice but to maintain duel citizenship although the DOS prefers dual naturalization if you want to visit your mom.

In that History Channel bit on Naturalization, this guys IO asked him which country he would stand up for in the event of the USA going to war with that country. My wife was never asked that question and haven't met anyone so far that was. But the correct answer is you would stand up for the USA.

Colombia wouldn't even let my wife enter with her US passport, we got into quite a discussion on this, but they let her in on the basis she would renew her Colombian citizenship that she needs first before getting a Colombian passport. Apparently she was flagged on this because when we left, they ask to see her application papers. We could have gotten both her passport and Colombian ID instantly if I handed 500 US bucks under the table, but we refused to do that. Took ten months to get her ID now we have to drive down to no parking anywhere Chicago to get her Colombian passport.

I don't go along with that don't ask don't tell philosophy, and my wife takes her oath to the USA very seriously. I went around in circles on this issue with the DOS, my senator, and congressman. So in cases like this, started a file of proof that we have no choice in this matter. My wife just wants to visit her mom. And they lied to her when they said she is a US citizen just like she was born here.

We also have hypocritical basterds in this country, this really pisses me off. I already had to sacrifice six years of my life and was expected to give it for the freedom of this country. A strong exemption to this is if you had an old man that could send you to Harvard and those are the basterds running this country today. Consider those to be more of my enemy than even a foreign country. One thing Harvard Law School teaches is how to lie and get away with it. Screw them, this is my country, these basterds are traitors to it. But blame my fellow Americans for being stupid enough to vote them in.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Have time?

Read this:

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/law.html

So, yes, in theory a President of the United States can at some point hold all of us to our oath and require proof within a certain time frame that we surrendered our former citizenship. It's not very likely though, as some countries do not even allow their citizens to do that and the US has no way to enforce other countries' policies. That's why they take our sworn word for it.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I think I got it now Thanks for your help!

Saludos,

Caro

[Ashley y Diego 3]

Thanks for asking, we had this question too and this thread cleared it up. Do you happen to know about the USC becoming a resident (or whatever) of Argentina as well?

Adorable little boy!

[xxhwx 2]

This should give you some insights into US's policy in regard to dual citizenship.

[xxhwx 2]

on another note, I believe someone who possesses other citizenships besides the US one is not eligible to work for the US government.