To be or not to be...a citizen.
 

I have been living in the States for many years now, happily married, working, paying taxes. Starting school this fall to work towards my BSN.

When I originally moved into the States from Europe and got married with a nice big-titted Texan girl, I always somehow figured that some years down the road I would begin a naturalization process to become a United States citizen. Instead of always checking that "permanent resident/alien" check box in every form I ever fill out, which always left me feeling like I was getting on the mental short bus every time.

But now that I have been looking into it, there is something about the oath of allegiance that troubles me. And while giving an "oath" its due consideration and weight is considered somewhat old school in this day and age, I do not think that I can in good conscience state something which I do not believe.

The oath of allegiance goes as follows:I know what you're thinking, and no, it's not the "God" bit. I am on the fence about the existence of the Vengeful Lord Almighty, but I wouldn't go through the trouble of getting that part omitted.

And I do believe in the values set forth in the Constitution. I feel allegiance to the country, and its laws, and I feel like I am a good person, contributing to the community is a constructive way when I can.

The issue I take is with the part that states:My native country, Finland, supports dual citizenship. They recognize that a person may be a citizen in another nation without losing their Finnish citizenship and the rights and responsibilities that go with it. I don't know if this is true, but it does not seem that the US feels quite the same way. While I believe in the Constitution, the nation's laws and definitely in everyone's right to pursue personal happiness, goals and prosperity and all that, I do not think I could ever simply denounce the country I was born and raised in, as if I had to roots there, no attachment, no allegiance whatsoever.

I really don't know what to do, and would appreciate any thoughts you may have on the subject.

US does have dual citizenship for those that aren't naturalized. I don't know the process because I personally always found it absurd to carry two passports.

I don't know about Finnish requirements for visas, but the difference for Philippine passport holders is troublesome during family vacation times come around. It was problematic for my father when we expatriated to Singapore that he naturalized after many years being resistant to it. My father felt the same tug that you do in "denouncing" his birthland.

The added benefit was that he could vote in all elections, something he could not do as a resident alien.

http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
http://www.post-gazette.com/nation/2...dual0515p4.asp
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm...ationality.htm

Everything I've searched around so far concerns American citizens who acquire citizenship in a foreign country and whether they can retain their American citizenship. I could be wrong, but I don't the the U.S. government can make you renounce your Finnish citizenship because that's a decision that can only be made by the Finnish government. Just to be on the safe side though, you probably should contact a Finnish embassy.

It's not "denouncing", it's renouncing. I think there is a big difference. I wouldn't want to denounce my "ancestral homeland" either I suppose, but the oath is to swear or pledge fealty to your new country and forsake any claims to any other sovereigns etc.

Rather I got the citizenship for St. Kitts and found very easy to get it. A citizen of the Federation enjoys privileges while staying or working in any of the Caribbean Community. Really nice.