Is it legal to fly a Mexican flag in America? or Any flag that is not American?

Question

i am not prejudice. i am of latin decent, but, i'm American.
my neighbor has this huge Mexican flag flying over his house. i want to ask him to replace it with the American flag, or at the very least fly the American flag next to his. should i just mind my own business?

Answer 1

In most places it's perfectly legal, but there are a few backwoods redneck towns in the U.S. (such as Pahrump, Nevada) where it's actually illegal to fly any foreign flag without an American flag right next to it. However, there's no way those laws would withstand a Constitutional challenge. Incidentally, there are several states in the U.S. which still have old laws on their books against burning or otherwise "desecrating" the American flag, but those were invalidated by at least 2 Supreme Court decisions. I don't personally approve of people displaying the flags of their home country without the U.S. flag, or vandalizing our flag, but you should have a legal right to do what you want with your own property.

Answer 2

Yes it is legal. It is legal to fly the Irish flag and many carry one on St. Paddy's day. The Italian flag fly with many on Columbus Day. (Ever notice how much alike those two flags are? See below) Why should the those of other decents not be able to celebrate say Cinco Di Mayo.
What the real issue that comes up is there is a lot of resentment against illegals in this country and flying the Mexican Flag seems to many to show that there is no real desire to become American. Also, carrying a Mexican Flag at a "grant us citizenship" rally is just poor taste, and worse, bad politics.
BUT, this is a country that allows free expression. Like the speech or hate the speech, we still have to allow it.
About 30 years ago, a Nazi group wanted to march in Skokie ILL., a town that had many Jewish consentration camp survivors. As a Jew I thought it was a deplorable idea, but I still thought they should have the right to march. (Hey if a few of the marches got hit by falling rocks, dang, how sad). They eventually got the permit to march and they were afraid to do it. They got an assembly permit for a park not in Skokie and about 15 Nazi's showed up. Doing the right thing got the right result. It showed they were chickens.
Now, returning to your problem in this question. If you are friends with the person, you might try talking to them. If not, leave it alone. You can fly an American Flag yourself. That will be all the statement you have to make.

Answer 3

It is his right. As long as he is not burning flags there is no problem. You could buy a really big American flag and fly it over your house and show that Americans can be proud of their country while immigrants that make up a large part of our population can be proud of theirs too because it is a free country and we love and respect people from other countries as much as we love and respect our fellow Americans. I am American and German and have lived half my life in America and half in Germany. I curently live in Germany and attend an American high school. Outside the school we fly the American flag the German flag and because of all the French exchange students we fly the French flag just to make them feel welcome. I remember seeing the French flag and hearing some guys talking about how it is not right because this is not their country. A teacher was standing near by and heard them and promptly reminded them that our school is an international school and that it is not a competition between countries and it is only a representation and welcoming symbol. These high school kids understood what she meant and I guess I kinda did. The Mexican dude next door wants to show he loves Mexico and that Mexicans are living there and because of the poloitical change happeining in America now I would say we should first get used to it and secondly embrace it beacuse it makes our population a much more diverse cultural and economically stable one.

Answer 4

I don't think there's anything wrong with it, there's nothing wrong with having pride for where you came from. It's the same as someone of Italian descent flying an italian flag, or a Scotsman flying a scottish flag -- you get the idea. It's certainly not illegal.

If our right to free speech means you can burn a flag, then I'm pretty sure you can also fly one.

I suppose you could tell him to replace it, but why? Seems to me like it would only invite trouble, especially since it's over his house and not yours. Why don't you fly your own U.S. flag instead of complaining?

Answer 5

In the land of the Free and home of the Brave, he has been given the right to fly whatever flag he chooses. No one can make him fly any flag other than that of his choosing.

Now the good part. In the land of the Free home of the Brave, you have the right to express your opinions to anyone you choose as loudly as you want. I am biased because i am also an American but I would just remind him of why he has the right to fly the flag of his choosing and live the life he chooses: it is because of the men and women that came before him that have either died for us or are currently keeping us all safe. Let him know that the symbol to show our gratitude to those people is Old Glory.

Answer 6

It is legal for him to fly a Mexican flag. If you would prefer to see an American flag, then put your own up.

Answer 7

I'm not sure of the legaility of it - but it is at the least, offensive.
The American Flag must fly higher than any other flag that is flown - such as state flags.
There is a such thing as flag ettiquette. It states that when another nation's flag is flown, the American flag takes the precedence and the other nation's flag flies at the same height.
Rather than get into an argument with your neighbor and cause some serious neigborly relations war, why not print out a copy of the ettiquette, and obtain an American flag kit and give both to your neighbor.
If these people are desiring to become American, they should respect our country, and our flag. If the are not wanting to become American, they why are they here?

Answer 8

Unless he's breaking a local zoning code, he has every right to fly whatever flag he likes...as do you. Take pride in your heritage. Let others take pride in their's.

Seeing a Mexican flag makes me more proud to be an American than Old Glory does. Every country has a national flag...only in a country as free as this one can you fly one of the others without fear.

Answer 9

A Mexican bar proprietor in Reno Nevada flew the Mexican flag above that of the USA. basically concern is that that is totally unlawful under u . s . Code area 7, identify 4, which states, (c) No different flag or pennant must be placed above or, if on the same point, to the suitable of the flag of the rustic, different than for the time of church centers performed by using naval chaplains at sea, whilst the church pennant may well be flown above the flag for the time of church centers for the workers of the army. no person shall exhibit the flag of the United countries or the different national or worldwide flag equivalent, above, or able to greater advantageous prominence or honor to, or as against, the flag of the USA at anyplace interior the USA or any Territory or possession thereof: provided, That no longer something in this area shall make unlawful the continuance of the prepare heretofore observed of showing the flag of the United countries able to greater advantageous prominence or honor, and different national flags in positions of equivalent prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the USA on the headquarters of the United countries.

Answer 10

Yes, it is legal to fly any flag you want. My wife is a Filipina; my oldest son was born in Germany, so, out of respect, he has the American, Philippine and German flags.
If more than one flag is flown, follow flag ettiquette (any VFW, DAV or American Legion post will be happy to provide it).
I would say, let him fly his Mexican flag. More people need to be patriotic.