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sandykayak

Dec 18, 2003, 12:51 PM

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Mexican citizenship?

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I've been wondering about this, and Jennifer's "saluting the Mexican flag" post reminded me.

Does anybody know of expatriates who, having decided that they will remain in Mexico, have or intend to acquire Mexican citizenship? Is it easy? Encouraged?

Are there any advantages or disadvantages?

The US has allowed dual citizenship for at least 10 (probably more) years and I believe it was only in the past couple of years that Mexico allowed their citizens to acquire another nationality without having to give up their nationality of birth.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

jennifer rose

Dec 18, 2003, 7:02 PM

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Re: [sandykayak] Mexican citizenship?

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Yes, I know expatriates who’ve become naturalized Mexican citizens. The process is straightforward, provided the requirements are met. The Ley Nacionalidad can be found at http://www.sre.gob.mx/...eydenacionalidad.htm. A discussion of the procedure can be found at SRE’s website at http://www.sre.gob.mx.

The Law of No Loss of Mexican Nationality went into effect in 1998.

According to Mexican law those who "naturalize" (assume citizenship after birth) as a Mexican citizen, renounce their previous citizenship. This means that a U.S. citizen who naturalizes as a Mexican citizen would not be considered by the Mexican Government to be entitled to any of the benefits of U.S. citizenship (such as protection or intervention from our Consulate, or use of a U.S. passport). U.S. law on the loss of citizenship is entirely a separate issue.

A search of prior posts on these fora will reveal more discussion.

Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages. Becoming a naturalized Mexican citizenship is a great psychological hurdle which many aren't willing to embrace. Among the advantages are the right to participation in the political process, land ownership without restrictions, employment opportunities, and favorable rates of university tuition.

sandykayak

Dec 19, 2003, 4:55 AM

Post #3 of 6 (705 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Mexican citizenship?

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As usual, JR, has an incredible wealth of information.

The renouncing of your previous citizenship is an obvious deterrent.

yet it's OK for Mexicans to acquire US (for e.g.) citizenship and keep their Mexican rights?

thanks
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

jennifer rose

Dec 19, 2003, 6:06 AM

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Re: [sandykayak] Mexican citizenship?

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In Reply To

The renouncing of your previous citizenship is an obvious deterrent.

yet it's OK for Mexicans to acquire US (for e.g.) citizenship and keep their Mexican rights?

Each country makes its own laws with respect to nationality and citizenship. Mexico and the EUA are separate, sovereign nations.

A U.S. citizen who applies for Mexican citizenship renounces prior citizenship before the S.R.E., not before a U.S. consular agent. This distinction clearly makes a difference, not qualifying as an act which would debride the U.S. citizen of his or her citizenship.

Allen Murphy

Dec 30, 2003, 9:28 AM

Post #5 of 6 (596 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Mexican citizenship?

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Jennifer, In the procedure to obtain a carta de naturalizacion (by residency I assume), it says Las Cartas de naturalizacion se otorgan de conformidad con los articulos 17, 19, y 20 de la ley de nacionalidad, siempre y cuando el interesado credite que no se ha ausentado del pais por mas de seis meses en los ultimos cinco years anteriores a la fecha de su solicitud. My question is if someone lives for 5 years with an fm 2 which permits absences of up to 3 months a year or 18 months in a five year period, if someone is planning on being naturalized is the permitted time out of the country more restictive? Allen Murphy

PBGollaz

Feb 2, 2004, 7:34 AM

Post #6 of 6 (515 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Mexican citizenship?

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Sandy,

According to the U.S. State Department (see: www.state.gov), a person who wants to renounce his or her U.S. citizenship must voluntarily and with intent to relinquish U.S. citizenship:

appear in person before a U.S. consular or diplomatic officer,
in a foreign country (normally at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate); and
sign an oath of renunciation

Renunciations that do not meet the conditions described above have no legal effect.

The State Department has a uniform administrative standard of evidence based on the premise that U.S. citizens always intend to retain United States citizenship when they obtain naturalization in a foreign state, subscribe to routine declarations of allegiance to a foreign state, or accept non-policy level employment with a foreign government.

In other words, unless you really want to renounce your U.S. citizenship, it is pretty hard to do. Naturalization in a foreign country is not sufficient in itself.

I hope this helps you.

Patricio

Patrick
Zapopan, Jalisco, México