And not one from 1974, either, but from last Monday. Read the whole thing here. Some excerpts:
Thousands of Americans are renouncing their citizenship and are taking permanent residence in foreign countries. Some analysts associate these developments to what they term “America’s uncertain future” … Wages in the United States are low and many hard working people struggle to afford life’s basic necessities. Other burning issues include a degrading public health system, a half-dead retail sector and an arguably chaotic political environment …
Americans who have relatives and friends outside of the United States are choosing to renounce their U.S. citizenship and relocate to countries with better economies. It has emerged that Americans are forced to renounce their citizenship as a way of circumventing the stiff legal requirements on foreigners in countries where they seek employment or business opportunities. “They then take the tough decision of renouncing their U.S. citizenship for a foreign one in their quest for a better life” …
Oh wait, I seem to have inadvertently misquoted the article. We at the Isaac Brock Society deeply regret this editing error. It’s actually talking about the reasons why citizens of Botswana renounce. You weren’t seriously expecting the U.S. media to give a reasonable overview of the issues faced by the American diaspora? Sorry, they’re too busy pounding the drum about how we’re all evil tax evaders not paying our fair share!
Of course, I couldn’t misquote too much from the article without revealing that it’s not about the United States. As the author points out later on:
If someone wishes to resume their Botswana citizenship, they may apply for the resumption of their lost Botswana citizenship in accordance with Section 17 of the Citizenship Act which provides that: “A citizen by birth or descent who has ceased to be a citizen of Botswana by virtue of the provisions of Section 15 or 16 may, at any time thereafter, make a declaration in such form as may be prescribed that they wish to resume citizenship of Botswana and upon the registration of the declaration in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2), they shall again become citizens of Botswana.
The Ministry did not share the details and statistics of whether there are any cases of resumption of lost citizenship but said; ”To date no application for resumption of Botswana citizenship has been declined or rejected.”
Many countries both rich & poor, European & African & Asian, have similar provisions for their diaspora to easily obtain residence visas or to reclaim their renounced citizenship: Australia, Denmark, South Korea, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, for example. In contrast, the U.S. has no such procedures, and instead rabble-rousing politicians have repeatedly proposed that emigrants who renounce citizenship should be banned from the country permanently.
Americans would be ill-informed if they believed that one can renounce US citizenship and take foreign residency in another country, as the US government would prefer Americans have another nationality before renouncing. That usually involves being a resident of that other country for many months, or perhaps even years before they can become a citizen there.
Nice one, Eric! You had me going there for a moment … pathetic how most media in the US don’t “get it;” in fact so far the only one I’ve seen is the Hill blog that Lynne and Victoria published, and they aren’t homelanders (and Lynne isn’t American any more and hasn’t been for years, with or without a CLN). Arguably that one story doesn’t count.
… just noticed that the original article says Botswanans (BATswana???? interesting spelling error) or at least some of them are trying for US citizenship. Bad move, IMO … Try Canada instead if you can, Botswanans, if for any reason you later change your mind and move somewhere else, Canada won’t consider you to be a tax slave forevermore and go after you no matter where outside Canada you choose to live (and receive actual services and benefits for the taxes you pay), unless you have Canadian-source income perhaps …
You highlight a real issue though for the USG. The fact they can’t have it known that USC’s are searching for BETTER lives in other countries. It undermines their false narrative of the USA being the greatest country on the face of the earth.
You sure fooled me. I really try being US-press optimistic! Yet, I really enjoyed reading how the Botwanese did a nice job of explaining the US situation by discussing their own. It is nice how they have a realistic view and understanding of their situation.
Here’s an interesting view on the topic from Bermuda:
Great post. Right on as always. The way the USSA treats the traitors who dare even leave its shores – let alone hand their passport back – is fitting for a Middle Ages dictator. Thanks for the inspiration; I’m going to need to do a Youtube video on reclaiming citizenship in other countries vs. the US policy of throwing away talent.
And thank you Nomad Capitalist for providing this laugh?/cry? article …
http://nomadcapitalist.com/2013/08/28/if-only-the-free-market-ran-us-consular-services/
So for those heading off to US consulates in Canada … be grateful … it could be worse.
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Nomad you are fresh fruit. I did get one positive comment from many of my relatives in USA for my renounce this Friday. Even my closest brothers do not understand me.
Wow! I see you have your own website.
@SwissPinoy…
That Bermuda article sure raises all the right questions that more and more will begin to have…
Reader questions are derived in every form and from all sorts of situations. Questions such as the following: Should I give up my green card? Should I expatriate? Will I, or do I owe taxes? How do I know that I am considered a United States citizen? I was adopted as a baby by English parents and have always lived outside the United States — am I a US citizen? What happens to the family property if I’m married to a US citizen or a green card holder? I’m not a United States citizen, but my children and grandchildren are. I’m now concerned that they will have to pay some huge United States tax if I give them (or loan them) money, property, plus they are beneficiaries in my will, my trust, and on my bank accounts. By the way, why should another government get big piece of my Bermuda estate that I have worked so hard to accumulate over my lifetime. How unfair is that?
@bubblebustin agreed, you must get permanent residency first, then you can renounce and become stateless, then wait for the time necessary to become a citizen of your new home country if you want citizenship.
Travel is not easy as a stateless person, but most countries will provide you with a certificate of identification that can be used to travel but you’ll need a visa from any country you wish to visit and remember to get your residency visa put into the certificate of identification otherwise you might have a problem returning to your country of residence.
I know this doesn’t relate to the topic but I couldn’t find a suitable thread. It’s yet another example of IRS idiocy. The title is “IRS Requires American Legion Posts Provide Membership Info or Face Fine” — and this goes well beyond just a list of names.
http://xrepublic.tv/node/5147
This is a small survey (235 participants) but I thought some Brockers might find it interesting …
http://www.overseas-exile.com/2013/11/overseas-exile-expat-survey-results.html