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Articles

Why Dual Citizenship Can Be a Double-Edged Sword
by Marc J. Lane

Dual citizenship can't help but water down patriotism.

Anti-American combatants John Walker Lindh, the notorious "American Taliban," and Yaser Esam Hamdi, a citizen of both the United States and Saudi Arabia, were captured by U.S. troops in Afghanistan. But neither Mr. Lindh nor Mr. Hamdi will be stripped of his U.S. citizenship, because in 1967 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that citizenship is an inalienable right that can only be lost if it's voluntarily renounced.

The number of Americans who are also citizens of other countries is soaring. And the growing prospect of U.S. citizens serving in foreign, even antagonistic, armies and governments, and foreign citizens serving in our own army and government and voting in our elections, raises disturbing questions about loyalty and national identity.

Dual citizenship is often an inadvertent consequence of birth: A child of foreigners is born on U.S. soil or a child of a U.S. citizen is born in another country. But, increasingly, citizens of other countries become U.S. citizens by choice. And many immigrants opt to remain nationals of their home countries even as they gain U.S. citizenship, along with the political rights and public benefits it affords them.

Immigration advocates don't fret about U.S. citizens' ties to other countries. American identity, they argue, isn't based on ethnicity or culture, but on the twin principles of liberty and self-determination. And they insist that all of us benefit when permanent residents of the U.S. pursue citizenship and deepen their commitment to those American values.

Many proponents of dual citizenship seem to buy into the logic. American Jews who want to move freely between the U.S. and Israel, and even vote in both countries, are among them.

It was a Jewish naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to Israel and voted in an election there whose case established the constitutional right to retain U.S. citizenship. And since the Supreme Court so ruled, thousands of Americans have served in foreign armies, most of them in the Israeli army, and voted in foreign elections.

The globalization movement has also spurred interest in dual citizenship. Beneficiaries of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the European Union are happy to see executives move without effort from one country to another and harvest the rewards of multinational corporate trade.

Then there are foreign countries that seek to benefit from the financial and political clout enjoyed by their nationals abroad. They seem unstoppable in their encouragement of expatriates to claim dual citizenship.

Mexico, the native land of more foreign-born U.S. residents than any other, is the most blatant example. The Mexican Nationality Law invites former Mexican citizens who have been naturalized in the U.S.; or elsewhere, for that matter; to have their Mexican citizenship restored without losing their naturalized citizenship. The Mexican government treats these new American citizens as "bi-nationals" and wants them to vote in both the U.S. and Mexico, while Mexican politicians campaign for their votes and their allegiance.

There's no question that dual citizenship can make it easier to travel, work and own property in other countries. But passports aren't credit cards to be collected and used interchangeably whenever it's convenient.

Immigrants may sincerely profess their love for both their native and adopted countries, but dual citizenship can't help but water down patriotism. And shared national loyalties, sooner or later, may come into conflict.

Congress shouldn't be winking and nodding to new citizens who swear allegiance without meaning it. Instead, it should empower the State Department to revoke one's citizenship when his loyalty to another country can be proved. To do less undermines our nationhood.

About the Author

Marc Lane is a business and tax attorney, a Master Registered Financial Planner, a Registered Financial Consultant, and a certified Investment Specialist. Marc is the author of 30 books on business organization, taxation, and personal finance. His newest book, "Advising Entrepreneurs: Dynamic Strategies for Financial Growth" draws from his experience working with those who have successfully built their businesses. Marc is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Northwestern University and an Adjunct Professor of Business at the University of Illinois. His practice areas include Individual Taxation, Corporate Tax Planning, Business Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Investments, Retirement Planning,Elder Law, International Trade, Business Law, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Additional articles, case studies, and a free email newsletter are available at www.marcjlane.com.

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Could You Become a US Citizen?

By Jeffrey Hauser

Okay, I realize that most of you reading this article already are citizens, but what if you weren’t? My mother was born in Scotland and had to become a citizen to stay and work in New Jersey, where we lived. But, back in the sixties, the test was pretty intense. I remember spending hours helping her memorize the presidents, amendments to the constitution, and US history. The test has evolved over the years and expect that everyone who was born in the US should be capable of passing it. But why am I not so sure? Is it because when Jay Leno does his “Jaywalking” segment filmed outside his studio and asks questions like, “Who was the first President,” I cringe? It’s because of the answers like, “Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, or Abraham Lincoln.” Yipes!

Fine, maybe he picked some slow people that day. But how would you do answering sample questions from the INS Citizenship test? Here’s you chance to prove me right or wrong on how I think the average American would fare. Take your time, good luck and please don’t’ cheat by looking at the answers below. I’ve picked just 20 of a possible 100, at random.

1. How many stripes are on the US flag and what do they mean?
2. Who was the first President of the United States?
3. Who is the current Vice-President of the US?
4. Who elects the President of the US?
5. For how long do we elect the President?
6. Who elects the Congress?
7. What is the supreme law of the US?
8. What is the Bill of Rights?
9. Who said, “Give me liberty or give me death?”
10. Name any 6 of the original 13 states.
11. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
12. Who was president during the Civil War?
13. Who selects the Supreme Court Justices?
14. What is the national anthem of the US called and who wrote it?
15. What type of government does the US have?
16. What month do we vote for the President?
17. What month is the President inaugurated?
18. How many times may a President serve?
19. How many states are there as of 2007?
20. Name any benefit of US citizenship?

How did you do? Did you have to peek at the answers? Shame on you! But, in all fairness, I doubt if many would get all of these right. So here are the answers and I’ll discuss a few at the bottom.

1. There are 13 stripes, each representing an original state.
2. George Washington was the first President.
3. Richard B. Cheney is the current Vice-President in 2007.
4. The electoral college actually elects the President.
5. The President serves for 4 years in a term.
6. Congress is elected directly by the people.
7. The Constitution is the supreme law of the US.
8. The first 13 amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights.
9. Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty of give me death.”
10. The original states are: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, and Maryland.
11. Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence.
12. Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War.
13. The President of the US selects Supreme Court Justices.
14. The US national anthem is the “Star-Spangled Banner” by Frances Scott Key.
15. The United States operates under a Democracy.
16. We vote for the President in November.
17. The President takes the oath of office in January.
18. The President may only serve 2, 4-year terms of office.
19. Currently, in 2007, we have 50 states, including the District of Columbia.
20. A Benefit of citizenship? This is for you to decide.

The last question could be answered by using the amendments of the Bill of Rights. Here are just a few, beginning with the very first one: You have the right of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and requesting change of government. You have the right to bear arms (the right to have weapons or own a gun, though subject to certain regulations). A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself. You have the right to trial by jury in most cases. In addition, here are some others: You are allowed to vote and elect your representatives, you are protected by the US military and local police, you are subject to everything written into the Constitution and therefore can live with more freedom than in almost any other country.

So, once again, how did you do? The INS is considering going to multiple choices in 2008, but with some tougher questions. Such as, “name your two state Senators, what is our economic system called, and what was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?” But, aside from those, you should have known every one of the above 20 questions. Most children are taught the answers by high school. If you had trouble with a few, then you’re probably average. More than 10, then you should hit the books. More than 15? How long have you lived here? If you got them all wrong? De donde eres, por favor?

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix." His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages" which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

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