If a minor child, both parents Indian, voluntarily acquires US citizenship,does it have to give up US citizen?

Question

I moved to United States a year ago on H1-B visa. I and my Wife both are Indians and are expecting a baby in March 2007 and we need to make a decision about where to have the baby born (In the USA or in India). We do not plan to stay back or settle down in USA for more than a year or 2 years from now.

After having gone through some of the threads in this forum, I understand that if the baby is born here in the US, automatically baby becomes US citizen and we need to get a birth certificate, SSN and passport from US administration and a PIO or OCI status from Indian Embassy.

Following are some of my questions:
1) What is the difference between PIO and OCI?
2) Is it possible to apply for PIO or OCI from here in USA? We live in Dallas, Texas. So, where to apply for PIO or OCI?
3) I remember reading somewhere that if we have a PIO for the baby, we need to visit the comissioner of police (In India) every year to renew the PIO status. Is it true? And, is this not required in case of OCI?
4) Some of my concerns of having the baby here are:

- Since we are planning to move back, what will be the cost of education for the child in India? Will it be same as any other child _OR_ will it be more than the normal fees since the child is a citizen of other country and holding a PIO/OCI status.
- Is it required to renew the US passport or is it valid for life? If we need to renew it, are we required to travel to the USA just for renewing it? _OR_ can we get it done in India itself?
- Are there any advantages in terms of higher studies for US citizens? _OR_ do they have to go through the regular admission procedure like all the Indian students go through since the student never studied in the USA for 18 years? I heard that the education in the US till high school is free(?), but if the child wants to do higher studies in US, are there any advantages over the Indian students applying for higher studies (like the fees, getting a seat in the university etc)

There are lot of other concerns, but this is what I could wrap up for now. Please reply. I really appreciate your replies and eagerly waiting for replies.

Answer 1

I don't really know the answer to your question, but there seems to be a lot of good information on this page:

http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/Overseas_Citizen/OCI.html

As for your child having a US passport and being a US citizen, yes, a passport must be renewed periodically (every 5-10 years depending on the age of the person holding the passport). You can have it done at the US consulate in any country (US citizens' services).

All students (American and foreign) have to apply to and be accepted by a university. The process has nothing to do with citizenship, it has to do with educational standards. So, the child would have to go through whatever process the university decides is the right one. If they never studied in the US (for 12 years) they would have to show that their studies meet the requirements for entry into the university and pass the English test (TOEFL).

Aside from lower tuituion at a state school, there are really no advantages to the American. In fact, a US student from, for example, Maryland, would not get the benefit of in-state lower tuition for a school in, for example, Virginia. As far as "getting a seat" the best advantage is given to the student with the best qualifications and academic record.

Good luck!

Answer 2

many people would give anything to have that American passport and live here on the other hand you will be jeopardizing your future child should he /she wanted to get out of poverty and return here in the US high schools are free if your child goes to college here there will not be any issues of visa or student higher enrollment fees if he were Indian citizen if you return to india your child will be subjected to visa requirements set by your immigration a sfor education in your country he/she will be just as any other citizen of INDIA ,,,VALIDITY OF US PASSPORT IS 10 YRS