Giving up former citizenship? Who actually knows?

[wornoutcowboy 6]

My Laotian born partner is eligible for USA citizenship at this point and wants it.  The only problem is he will be required to give up his Laotian citizenship.  He is very hesitant to do so being he does plan to return to live there one day.  My question is who actually would know in Laos if he took USA citizenship?  Couldn't he just keep his Lao passport when he returns to Laos?  Has anyone on the forum actually been able to do this?  At the swearing in ceremony does the USA take up former passports?  Do they take the green card?  Anyone try this yet?  Thanks.

[jxn 86]

I'm not sure in practice, but this page seems to have the legal text surrounding Lao nationality.

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

"The following are grounds for involuntary renunciation of Laotian citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires a foreign citizenship, though persons in this situation should not assume Laotian citizenship would simply be lost by default."

 

Sounds pretty risky to me.....

 

[wornoutcowboy 6]

Yes, I know Laos does not allow dual citizenship but my question is would they ever know if my partner became a citizen of the USA.  When he went back to Laos couldn't he just travel in on his Lao passport?

[Ontarkie 14,365]

8 minutes ago, wornoutcowboy said:

Yes, I know Laos does not allow dual citizenship but my question is would they ever know if my partner became a citizen of the USA.  When he went back to Laos couldn't he just travel in on his Lao passport?

They will know when he leaves the country. He will have no visa, no GC nothing allowing him to go to the US. So he will need to use his US passport to board the plane and that is if they don't notice the lack of entry and exist stamps for his trips to the US. 

 

I would be very careful about trying to sneak it pass them. Some countries it is a pretty harsh punishment if caught. 

[wornoutcowboy 6]

Couldn't he fly out of Laos and into Thailand on his Lao passport and then present the American passport on arrival in the USA?  When he leaves Laos they actually have no idea where he is going.

[Ontarkie 14,365]

~~Moved to the Regional Forum, from US Citizenship General Discussion. - As the OP is needing Country specific advice for  dual citizenship when the original country does not allow it.~~

Edited December 27, 2017 by Ontarkie

[misken 61]

On 12/27/2017 at 9:10 AM, wornoutcowboy said:

Couldn't he fly out of Laos and into Thailand on his Lao passport and then present the American passport on arrival in the USA?  When he leaves Laos they actually have no idea where he is going.

He could do that, using a third-party country as a way to escape notice of the country not allowing dual citizenship is a common tactic for people in these situations. (Hong Kong is a common place to do so because they don't stamp passports) Even so, it is still risky and he would risk being caught and losing his Laotian passport/any other penalties every time he tried entering/leaving.

Edited January 4, 2018 by misken

[hnubno 9]

does he need a gc to renew his laos passport if he's outside of laos?

 

my husband was in the same situation. although this year, he has decided that he wants to become a citizen whether he loses his citizenship in laos or not.

[usmsbow 802]

On 12/26/2017 at 5:10 PM, wornoutcowboy said:

Couldn't he fly out of Laos and into Thailand on his Lao passport and then present the American passport on arrival in the USA?  When he leaves Laos they actually have no idea where he is going.

 

The challenge would be when he had to get a new passport. Most consulates in the USA require proof of residence in order to receive services such as renewing a passport. If he became a US citizen, he wouldn't have a green card any more. His proof of residence would also be his proof of US citizenship.