8309: Double Citizenship (Re: 8308) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: amedard@gte.net

With regard to Haitians and dual nationality, the "bad intent" comes not from the
1987 Consitution, but rather from those who cannot wholely pledge their allegiance to
one country.  If one wants the rights and privileges of full citizenship - which
includes being able to run for political office - they must be faithful to the
country in which they hold that citizenship.

A Haitian would choose to pledge their allegiance to the United States, yet want to
run the political organization of Haiti, is a Haitian who is politically fickle.
Citizenship and its responsibilities should not be something one claims or denies
when convenient.  Such a situation is comparable to that of a polygamist, or a
philanderer who loves 'em all and cannot be faithful to any 'one'.

In addition, when a foreigner is naturalized, they are required to forfeit their
foreign passport, thus foreign citizenship. (I recently witnessed this when my
Chinese neighbors were granted U.S. citizenship.)  According to Section 337(a) of the
INA [8 USC § 1448(a)],  new citizens must pledge an oath "to renounce and abjure
absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate,
state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or
citizen."

Furthermore, 'Section 349 of the INA [8 USC § 1481] specifies that U.S. citizenship
may be lost for the following - among other - reasons:

     becoming a naturalized citizen of another country, or declaring allegiance
     to another country, after reaching age 18;

and

     working for a foreign government (e.g., in political office or as a civil
     servant).

If North Miami Democrat Philip Brutus came to the States as a Haitian citizen, then
he took an oath with renunciatory clause to forfeit his Haitian citizenship when he
was naturalized.