The increase in the number of dual nationals is recognized by the U.S. government but is not encouraged

The increase in the number of dual nationals is recognized but not encouraged by the U.S. government (Alberta Times) As the number of foreign students studying in the United States continues to hit historical records, researchers...

(Alberta Times)

As foreign students come to the United States to study in record numbers, researchers and U.S. officials say a new wave of dual citizenship is coming, with more American families having members from different countries. Furthermore, globalization has eroded old notions of allegiance to one country. Betancu, a lawyer in charge of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, said the U.S. government does not encourage dual citizenship but recognizes it, in part because it does not want to conflict with countries that allow dual citizenship. Betancu said: "If someone has dual citizenship, we will not put a mark under his name." He said: "We only pay attention to whether this person is a U.S. citizen." Armenia, Ghana, the Philippines and Kenya have all begun to allow dual citizenship in recent years so that their governments can still maintain relations with citizens who choose to go abroad to seek a better education and life. A 2008 study by the Center for Migration Policy Research, a think tank that studies global migration trends, found that more than half of countries allow some form of dual citizenship. This year Haiti also took a step in this direction. During the Cold War, having two passports was almost unthinkable. Governments fear this could lead to spies or that it could prevent immigrants from integrating into their new country. Statistics on dual citizenship are difficult to obtain. But it's estimated that thousands of U.S. citizens have more than one passport. Their rights and responsibilities differ: Some countries allow citizens living abroad to vote, but others may require them to pay taxes or perform military service. Generally, in order to become a dual citizen, people need to apply, fill out forms, pay fees, and take exams similar to those in the United States. Despite the increase in dual citizenship, many countries such as China and Denmark still do not allow it. Some governments fear foreigners' influence on their affairs. In the United States, critics say dual citizenship prevents new citizens from fully engaging in their new country. Stanley Renshon, a political science professor at City University of New York, said the United States should ban dual nationals from voting, serving or serving as elected officials overseas and encourage dual citizens to focus on their new country. Immigrants say they have practical and emotional reasons for seeking dual citizenship. They are proud of their U.S. citizenship, but also want to make it easier to travel, buy property and invest in their home countries. For developing countries, the benefits of dual citizenship are significant. Wealthy immigrants can return home to invest, creating jobs and boosting tourism. Some people say that dual citizenship makes national borders meaningless and allows people to freely choose where to live, affecting their loyalty to the country. “Neither the benefits nor the disadvantages are all that significant or clear.” Papademe, president of the Center for Migration Policy Research, said he let his Greek passport expire because he didn’t need it. Kokyan, an Armenian immigrant, said that having two passports is natural for her. She likes Thanksgiving and the good security in America. But she missed her home country (Armenia), where friends and relatives could visit each other at any time and exchange gifts at New Year instead of at Christmas.