Text 43515, 57 rader
Skriven 2006-11-30 13:01:00 av LEE LOFASO (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av SHANNON TALLEY
Ärende: Re: Mystifying Citizenshi
=================================
Hello Shannon,

>ST>My daughter was born in a Panamanian hospital while I was stationed in
>ST>Panama.  She is legally considered a U.S. Natural Born Citizen.

>LL>- Article II, Section I, Clause IV of the U.S. Constitution
>LL>Note the provision of eligibility, "at the time of the Adoption
>LL>of this Constitution", which in effect bars your daughter from
>LL>running for president or vice president, unless your daughter is
>LL>at least 230 years old.  :)

ST>There are several other immigration clauses which preclude this article in
ST>this instance, and the instance where my friend's parents were citizens of
ST>this country on vacation.

Nowhere else is the phrase or term "natural born Citizen" found in
the U.S. Constitution.  Not even in any of the amendments to the U.S.
Constitution.

ST>In the instance of my daughter, I was in military service while
ST>serving my country overseas.  She is eligible for any public office,
ST>even though she was born in Panama.

Being an American citizen, she is eligible for any public office,
EXCEPT for vice president and president.  It's that pesky "natural
born Citizen" provision that does her in.  ;)

ST>However, when she turns 18, she will have the option to choose her
ST>citizenship (in the case of Panama). Obviously, if she chooses
ST>Panamanian citizenship, then she waives her American citizenship
ST>completely.

Just because the United States does not recognize dual citizenship
(except for Arnold Schwarzenegger) one does not mean that Panama does
not do so.

Lots of Americans hold dual citizenship.  More than you might think.
Arnold Schwarzenegger went the Act of Congress route, being married to
a Kennedy.  But there are other ways -

*Become a priest.  Get elected Pope.  Make St. Peter's Basilica
your new home.  Okay, okay.  So you might have to settle for a papal
apartment in Vatican City.  You'd still get to spend lots of quality
time speaking to very large crowds in St. Peter's Square.  And free
trips to everywhere on the planet.  Well, almost everywhere.  :)

*Become a Jew.  Grow a long beard.  Wear a beanie (just like the pope).
Move to Israel.  Okay, okay.  The beard and the beanie are optional. :)

Those are just two of many ways...

--Lee


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