01-14-2005, 04:42 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->IOW one has to relinquish one's original citizenship before taking up US citizenship.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This of course, is the major stumbling block - when one gets to the part on the US form which says: "if this is granted, you will be expected to take the following oath.."
and the oath says: "relinquishing all others..... "
However, volumes have been written on this, and the present US understanding is that it does NOT constitute a lie to swear to this, although one feels very strongly about one's motherland. Consider: otherwise they would have to put all the british-Americans and the Israeli-Americans in jail for sure.
There is another side to this. Apparently (this from someone who's been there - in certain parts of the government where such things become very important) they tell you:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->We can help you out of trouble in any country .... except your motherland. There, your US passport is not worth a thing unless they choose to respect it, and we don't have any standing. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So... the US already accepts a sort of dual citizenship.
Now I can see where India can say, "hey, buddy, you swore 'relinquishing all others' so you have to sign off on the Pledge again". I'll be glad to do that any time.
And the GOI should ensure that one does not get into this situation where the Constitutions of the two countries are so different - because ultimately, what u are swearing to protect and defend in both places is the Constitution. With US-India or UK-India, the differences are miniscule - in fact that's so with most democracies.
This is why its a BAAAAAAD idea to go dual with places like, say, KSA or other places with nitwit constitutions. Forget TSP, of course.
The GOI is acting like the damn sepoy coolies that they are. Worrying only about "phoren log kya kahenge?" and kicking the Indian citizen in the teeth.
This of course, is the major stumbling block - when one gets to the part on the US form which says: "if this is granted, you will be expected to take the following oath.."
and the oath says: "relinquishing all others..... "
However, volumes have been written on this, and the present US understanding is that it does NOT constitute a lie to swear to this, although one feels very strongly about one's motherland. Consider: otherwise they would have to put all the british-Americans and the Israeli-Americans in jail for sure.
There is another side to this. Apparently (this from someone who's been there - in certain parts of the government where such things become very important) they tell you:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->We can help you out of trouble in any country .... except your motherland. There, your US passport is not worth a thing unless they choose to respect it, and we don't have any standing. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So... the US already accepts a sort of dual citizenship.
Now I can see where India can say, "hey, buddy, you swore 'relinquishing all others' so you have to sign off on the Pledge again". I'll be glad to do that any time.
And the GOI should ensure that one does not get into this situation where the Constitutions of the two countries are so different - because ultimately, what u are swearing to protect and defend in both places is the Constitution. With US-India or UK-India, the differences are miniscule - in fact that's so with most democracies.
This is why its a BAAAAAAD idea to go dual with places like, say, KSA or other places with nitwit constitutions. Forget TSP, of course.
The GOI is acting like the damn sepoy coolies that they are. Worrying only about "phoren log kya kahenge?" and kicking the Indian citizen in the teeth.