What would happen to a 3rd generation American if he renounced his citizenship as a political protest ?

Question

My last job just got shipped to China. In my new job , I am openly discriminated against because I dont speak Spanish. Most of my co-workers are illegally in the country and have fake papers that get them good factory jobs. Being an American Citizen doesnt mean squat anymore and in my case , seems to do more harm for me than good. What would happen to me if I renounced it ? Get deported ? Go to Jail ? What ?

Answer 1

What would happen? You would no longer be an American citizen. It takes a matter of minutes to do at the American consulate.

Here's the procedure:

(1) Leave the country. There is no procedure for renouncing your citizenship while still physically present in the U.S. The government has the idea that if you're mad enough to renounce your citizenship you probably don't want to keep living here (although most militia types seem to want to stick around, presumably to keep their disgust fresh). Also, frankly, most of the 800 or so people who renounce their U.S. citizenship each year aren't protesters but rather are cases of "dual citizenship" who haven't lived in the U.S. for a long time. What typically happens is that someone is born in the U.S. to non-U.S. parents, who later return to their native land. Such a person is automatically a U.S. citizen but has a claim to his parents' nationality also. While dual citizenship is usually not illegal--the U.S. "tolerates" it--it can complicate your life, notably in connection with taxes. So many people choose one or the other on reaching adulthood.

(2) Apply for citizenship somewhere else. Strictly speaking this is optional, in the sense that it's optional to put on the parachute before you jump out of the plane. But if you're a stateless person living abroad and you get in a jam with the local authorities, or you want to get a passport to travel to yet another country (or back to this one), you're up fecal matter creek.

(3) Go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and tell them you want to renounce your citizenship. Often they'll try to talk you out of it, tell you to come back after you've slept it off, etc. Persist. Eventually they'll have you sign an oath of renunciation, an affidavit affirming the oath, and a "statement of understanding," which basically asks you if you're sure you know what you're doing. You also have to supply certain tax-related info and turn in your passport. The consular officer overseeing the proceedings must sign an attestation saying that in his opinion you're not off your nut. The papers will then be forwarded to the U.S. state department, which in the fullness of time will issue you a Certificate of Loss of Nationality. You're officially un-American. Lotsa luck.

One of many things to consider before you take this rash step is the kind of company you'll be keeping. Setting aside cases of dual nationality, emigration, etc., people who renounce their citizenship typically are war criminals (who do it under the baleful eye of a judge to avoid the expense of a deportation hearing), the aforementioned militia members, and billionaire fat cats who do it to avoid U.S. taxes (although the feds are tightening up on this--that's why they ask renunciants for tax info). My guess is you're not going to want to get together with these guys in some kind of support group.

Answer 2

You are not allowed to renounce your citizenship while in the United States. You're required to leave the US and make your way to a US consulate or embassy in a foreign country. They will have you fill out a form and swear, under oath, that it's your intention to renounce your citizenship.

At that point you are no longer an American. You would be considered a "stateless person." The country where you are at will be required to deal with you as a stateless person in accordance with various United Nations and diplomatic agreements.

It's likely you'll be allowed to stay where you are but it's also possible you will not be allowed to work. You are likely to end up a destitute refugee. The UN will try to resettle you but all bets are off on how long it will take and where they'll find a place willing to take you.

Answer 3

The simple answer is:

You would have to leave the country in order to renounce your citizenship. Once you renounce, you then cannot get back into the US: you will be a stateless person and will need to seek asylum somewhere.

There is no way to renounce whilst in the US (unless in times of war) but if you could, you would then have no right to remain and work in the US.

So basically, unless you have a second country of citizenship that you can move to, there is no way to renounce your citizenship and still remain indefinitely in the US.

Answer 4

Usually, to renounce one's citizenship means you've moved to another country and want to immigrate to that country. You give up your US passport and become a citizen of that country.

You can't renounce American citizenship and still expect to benefit from what the country offers. As we used to say back in the 60's, America Love It or Leave It.

Answer 5

Move to Canada, anyone who renounces his\her citizenship is an idiot, how is that effective protesting? Maybe you should apply for Chinese citizenship.

Answer 6

From the sound of where you work, nothing would happen because nobody can understand you language anyway. If you renounce your citizenship? who cares? why are you working at such a menial labor level anyway? did you sleep through school? go to Mexico and run for president.

Answer 7

You want to politically protest, call someone that is against illegal immigration and get them to protest your employer.

Someone like the Minutemen or the like. No one has to know you did it.

Rats scurry when the light is put on them.

Answer 8

Why don't you just move to a foreign country? I'm serious I know several people that have moved to Canada, one to the UK and another to the Netherlands, and they love it. I'm thinking of Canada myself, but am waiting to see if we get yet another Republican in the White House first.

Answer 9

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Not unless you want to be considered as and treated like a terrorist. Stay and fight for your rights as a citizen. Of course, that might get you the same results these days. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Answer 10

You would lose what few rights you have remaining under the constitution and you would have to go live in another country.... you wouldn't go to jail... be be deported as an UNDESIRABLE alien.