Why do we allow dual citizenship?

[NYCGeordie]

Originally Posted by macmeal

To MY way of thinking, a "dual" citizen isn't FULLY a citizen of EITHER nation, for the simple reason he's unable to pledge 100% commitment to either place. It doesn't make him "bad"---it's just not possible to be "200%" ANYTHING.......

So what do you say to a mother with one child by birth and one by adoption.............that it is impossible for her to be equally committed to the care of both?

[NYCGeordie]

Originally Posted by Kele

In other words, you have no problem with an active and supporting member of al-Qaeda refusing to renounce loyalty to his country of origin known to support terrorism against "infidels," that is, anyone who does not support the Islamic Salaf views of the patristic period, becoming a U.S. citizen while retaining citizenship within his country of origin.....

Last I heard Al-Queda wasn't actually a country (despite what GWB may believe).
Membership of that particular organisation would (I have a sneaking suspicion) disbarr the person from even being able to apply for citizenship of the USA.

[NYCGeordie]

Originally Posted by malamute

I believe dual citizens should not just be looking for the benefits they hope to rake out of any and all of their countries they've obtained citizenship but they should also do something for their countries.

Too often it's all about what they can get not what they can do for their countries. They should pay dual taxes, have dual military service.

You're arguments get more and more mystifying all the time - what exactly are these benefits that seem to have got you so upset? Maybe you don't like having to stand in line at immigration when you travel to a foreign country, when people who are dual citizens of that country and the USA can go straight through?

Dual taxes? If that were to happen then employers of dual citizens would also have to pay 'dual taxes', then again those dual citizens who paid 'dual taxes' would then be able to claim 'dual benefits', I'm sure that would really make you happy - someone having something you don't.

Dual military service? As the USA doesn't have 'the draft' any more (and not so many other countries do ether) I'm presuming by this that you would want it reinstated, after all if the draft only applied to dual citizens then the US armed forces would be overrun by those pesky foreigners with their 'dual loyalty'........probably end up starting a war against themselves!

[bluedog2]

What is wrong with Dual citizenship ? I have a US passport and an Irish passport.I was born here (US) and have lived here all my life. My mother was born in Ireland,immigrated legally and became a US citizen long before I was born.Because she was born in Ireland I was automatically an Irish citizen.The Irish government considers all children of people born in Ireland as Foreign Born Irish citizens ( FBI ).

I am totally loyal to the US but I do happen to have more family there( in Ireland) than here because most of my mother's 11 siblings stayed there and all had big families of their own.I have 40 first cousins in Ireland and only 6 here.

I get to travel freely and can stay or work anywhere in Europe because of my Irish passport. Nice

[malamute]

Originally Posted by NYCGeordie

You're arguments get more and more mystifying all the time - what exactly are these benefits that seem to have got you so upset? Maybe you don't like having to stand in line at immigration when you travel to a foreign country, when people who are dual citizens of that country and the USA can go straight through?

Dual taxes? If that were to happen then employers of dual citizens would also have to pay 'dual taxes', then again those dual citizens who paid 'dual taxes' would then be able to claim 'dual benefits', I'm sure that would really make you happy - someone having something you don't.

Dual military service? As the USA doesn't have 'the draft' any more (and not so many other countries do ether) I'm presuming by this that you would want it reinstated, after all if the draft only applied to dual citizens then the US armed forces would be overrun by those pesky foreigners with their 'dual loyalty'........probably end up starting a war against themselves!

Why should citizenship only be about what you get that others don't get instead of responsibilities to your various beloved nations?

Dual citizens should support their countries, it shouldn't be only about taking whatever you can from those countries, but helping to build both up. No I don't want the draft but a dual citizen should certainly be required to be drafted in whichever country does require military service.

JFK said "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" and for the duals that should be two countries they should do for.

[PhillyKB215]

JFK said "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country" and for the duals that should be two countries they should do for.

Just because JFK said it, doesn't make it right.

[Eduardo983]

Originally Posted by yayoi

Ok I can understand why children may have dual citizenship, but adults? It seems like sitting on the fence to me. Why can't they choose one? They can be a resident here, just not a citizen or vice versa.

You must be jealous of dual citizens....

[Kellem]

Originally Posted by Ozark-Baby

That was the way we used to do things. But these days, anyone and everyone are allowed dual citizenships and I am sorry to those in here who have that, I don't trust anyone who carries dual citizenships to be totally loyal to our country, especially the ones from certain countries, of which I won't mention.

The dual-citizenship is more of a convenience thing in my opinion. If a person is more tied to their country of origin will likely be more loyal to their country than to the U.S. in case of conflict having changed their citizenship in paper or not. Once you come to the U.S. you are grateful for the opportunities that are given to you, but in case of conflict a piece of paper that says you are from a different country might play a small role when picking sides.