There are various ways that you may lose you U.S. citizenship. Some of these reasons can be categorized into being voluntary or involuntary. Involuntary loss of U.S. citizenship is forced upon by the United States government towards the individuals, however, involuntary loss regards having intent to give up U.S. citizenship. Some of these reasons include:
- Committing an act of treason against the United States
- In certain cases, running for office or serving in the military within foreign countries
- Citizens who illegally acquired citizenship
- Having the intention of giving up U.S. citizenship to instead acquire citizenship of another foreign country
Citizens that have been naturalized and have been found guilty of engaging with any terrorist organization, persecution, or genocide within five years after holding the title of a naturalized citizen may also be denaturalized.
- Within U.S. federal court, a lawsuit or criminal proceeding is what begins the process of denaturalization.
- Being denaturalized takes away the title of having ever been a citizen of the United States.
- Any family members in which the denaturalized individual filed a petition for be deportation proceedings and deported back to their home country unless they claim to remain within the United States under separate circumstances as their family member.
Voluntary Losing U.S. Citizenship
- Partake in one or more of the seven expatriating acts including:
1. Committing an act of treason against the United States
2. Acquire citizenship in foreign state over the age of 18 years old
3. Entering or serving in armed forced within foreign country against the United States
4. Accepting employment opportunity with foreign government over the age of 18 years old if they acquire nationality with the foreign country or take an oath within the foreign country essentially accepting their position
5. Renouncing U.S. nationality before a consular officer outside the U.S
6. Renouncing U.S. nationality within the U.S.
7. Taking an oath or any other kind of formal declaration assuring your allegiance to a foreign state after the age of 18 years old
- Voluntarily partake in the action in order to diminish present United States nationality (with particular intent)
It is not easy for the United States government to claim that someone has renounced U.S. citizenship solely based on one of the listed expatriating acts. This would not be enough evidence, instead they must investigate further to prove they had initial intent to give up their United States citizenship to begin with.
Be sure to speak with and seek guidance attorney Ramona Kennedy about your specific case today, there are detrimental consequences if you have been found guilty of partaking in any of the listed acts that can lead to denaturalization.