I am a legal permanent resident and I would like to become a US citizen. Actually, I would like to be a dual citizen, since you cannot renounce the nationality of the country where I used to live, and also because I don't want to renounce it.
The US State Department says that dual nationality is permitted and that "dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country."
On the other hand, I have to take the oath of allegiance, which says "I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen".
Aren't these two statements contradictory?
Wouldn't it be unethical to take the oath?
I would appreciate serious answers.
2007-04-24 02:36:54 · 5 answers · asked by Belindita 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Auditor: I don't care how many thousands of people have taken the oath; this is about me and my conscience.
2007-04-24 02:47:24 · update #1
Erin, I don't take oaths lightly, that's why I have this dilemma!
2007-04-24 03:02:35 · update #2
Brett, I agree: There should be a different oath for dual citizens.
2007-04-24 03:04:17 · update #3
Mark, in my case, I could vote in my country too, although I don't think I will, since I live in the U.S.
2007-04-24 03:05:40 · update #4
Yes they are contradictory. If you take the oath, you renounce all allegiances. As you should. Why become an American citizen if you aren't doing it whole heartedly? You're dipping your toe into the American world, so to speak. If you don't want to truly be an American, above all else, then stay a permanent resident. I truly despise (no offense) people who take an oath without any truth behind it.
2007-04-24 02:59:44 · answer #1 · answered by Erin Gamer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Government and ethics are very far apart.
If they don't use ethics in their dealings, they can't expect you to.
When people get married, in a religious ceremony or not, they vow to be true to each other no matter what. Since 50% of people get divorced and of the remaining 50%, perhaps 10% of those have affairs at some point, that's not set in stone.
Government policitians take a pledge to honour any legal constitution, but they break that ALL the time, all in the name of what they think is best for that country.
Yes, it would be unethical for them to expect you would take the oath as written given their answer, but they are so tied down in red tape, it's crazy.
You could ask them if there is a different oath to take when you are not forsaking your home country and if they say no, ask them why not?
2007-04-24 09:48:26 · answer #2 · answered by brettj666 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok!! there are questions that you, your self has to answer like what do you really want, where do you want to stay permanently, as a permanent resident, where do you want to vote!!!! are you a registered voter of any particular state or country.... well if you swore on something that might void certain right then will you waiver that right? There is NO such thing as a dual citizen because you cant both vote on two different state... you can avail certain privileges on two countries but not all... there are countries which cannot allow you to own a permanent property e.g. Land and resort if you are a legal citizen of another country so... the Point is There is NO absolute Dual citizenship... that you want to enjoy... Nah Nah Nah.... Like the owner of Harods in London is not even British.... you get the point!! but you can still enjoy certain privileges that each country offers to permanent resident of their sovereign land....
2007-04-24 09:52:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. I know a lot of Argentines who have dual citizenship with either Italy or Spain [by virtue of their grandparents having been born there], and I know some Jewish people who have both American and Israeli citizenship. My French professor in college has a daughter who has dual French and American citizenship.
Don't worry about an oath of allegiance. It is more symbolic than anything else. Be pragmatic. I don't think it is unethical. Pragmatism is the name of the game. There will not be any situation in the future where you will be forced to make any meaningful decisions. Have the best of both worlds, use the smorgasbord approach.
2007-04-24 10:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Mark 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would be unethical, but, do you think that you would be the first person to do that?
2007-04-24 09:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by auditor4u2007 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋