Thanks Biker for the props.
Yes, the matter is complicated, but only up to a point.
I technically could say I have dual citizenship because I could still get a British passport by virtue of my English birth certificate. However that would make me a de facto liar because I swore an oath of allegiance to the USA. So I am American, not British.
We have covered the birth angle, where someone has, not dual nationality, but more accurately divided nationality, since two nations have claims on them but only when on each nation's soil. But that seems like a bit of a scam.
Or do people go around collecting citizenships? I guess you could consider yourself a US, Irish, UK and Israeli citizen all at the same time - but thinking doesn't make it so.
Perhaps, as a naturalized citizen who actively chose to renounce his country of birth, I am more sensitive to this than someone who was born in the USA and is American "by accident" (no disrespect to my fellow Americans). But if you are a citizen of a country that should mean something more than taking the fast lane at Heathrow, JFK or Tel Aviv. It should be a personal commitment to your way of life and your countrymen.
Maybe I am an idealist.
G
PS: There are ways to lose your US citizenship if you should desire to. I found this on an Immigration Attorney's website:
http://www.visalaw.com/02apr1/12apr102.html
Under the current scheme, there are seven acts that are considered expatriating and will result in the loss of citizenship. These are:
Being naturalized in a foreign country, upon the person’s own application made after reaching 18 years of age;
Making an oath or other declaration of allegiance to a foreign country or division thereof, again, after reaching 18 years of age;
Serving in the armed forces of a foreign country if those armed forces are engaged in hostilities against the US, or if the person serves as an officer;
Working for the government of a foreign country if the person also obtains nationality in that country, or if to work in such a position an oath or other declaration of allegiance is required;
Making a formal renunciation of US citizenship before a US consular officer or diplomat in a foreign country;
Making a formal written statement of renunciation during a state of war, if the Attorney General approves the renunciation as not contrary to US national defense; and
Committing an act of treason against the US, or attempting by force or the use of arms to overthrow the government of the US. Renunciation by this means can be accomplished only after a court has found the person guilty.
Yes, the matter is complicated, but only up to a point.
I technically could say I have dual citizenship because I could still get a British passport by virtue of my English birth certificate. However that would make me a de facto liar because I swore an oath of allegiance to the USA. So I am American, not British.
We have covered the birth angle, where someone has, not dual nationality, but more accurately divided nationality, since two nations have claims on them but only when on each nation's soil. But that seems like a bit of a scam.
Or do people go around collecting citizenships? I guess you could consider yourself a US, Irish, UK and Israeli citizen all at the same time - but thinking doesn't make it so.
Perhaps, as a naturalized citizen who actively chose to renounce his country of birth, I am more sensitive to this than someone who was born in the USA and is American "by accident" (no disrespect to my fellow Americans). But if you are a citizen of a country that should mean something more than taking the fast lane at Heathrow, JFK or Tel Aviv. It should be a personal commitment to your way of life and your countrymen.
Maybe I am an idealist.
G
PS: There are ways to lose your US citizenship if you should desire to. I found this on an Immigration Attorney's website:
http://www.visalaw.com/02apr1/12apr102.html
Under the current scheme, there are seven acts that are considered expatriating and will result in the loss of citizenship. These are:
Being naturalized in a foreign country, upon the person’s own application made after reaching 18 years of age;
Making an oath or other declaration of allegiance to a foreign country or division thereof, again, after reaching 18 years of age;
Serving in the armed forces of a foreign country if those armed forces are engaged in hostilities against the US, or if the person serves as an officer;
Working for the government of a foreign country if the person also obtains nationality in that country, or if to work in such a position an oath or other declaration of allegiance is required;
Making a formal renunciation of US citizenship before a US consular officer or diplomat in a foreign country;
Making a formal written statement of renunciation during a state of war, if the Attorney General approves the renunciation as not contrary to US national defense; and
Committing an act of treason against the US, or attempting by force or the use of arms to overthrow the government of the US. Renunciation by this means can be accomplished only after a court has found the person guilty.