Thread: Number of Mexicans Gaining US Citizenship Grew 50%

Number of Mexicans gaining U.S. citizenship grew 50% in 2007
California and Texas saw the biggest increases. Overall naturalization declined by 6%.

By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
2:11 PM PDT, July 10, 2008

The number of Mexicans who became U.S. citizens in 2007 increased 50% over the previous year -- with California and Texas seeing the largest increases -- even as the overall number of immigrants becoming naturalized citizens declined.

The jump was attributed in large part to anticipated increases in application fees and efforts by Spanish-language media and grass-roots organizations to encourage eligible residents to apply for U.S. citizenship, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The number of Mexicans who became citizens in 2007 increased from 83,000 to 122,000 at a time when the overall number of those who were naturalized decreased by 6%, the report found.

In California, the number of those who were naturalized last year increased from 152,000 to 181,000, followed by Texas, which went from 37,000 to 53,000, according to the report.

At the same time, the number of citizenship applications filed with the office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services doubled from 730,000 to 1.3 million last year, the report found. Citizenship applications pending a decision increased from 470,000 to 1.1 million.

teresa.watanabe@latimes.com


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 9964.story

I wonder if these new American citizens also hold dual citizenship with Mexico?

Isnt there a limit on the amount of Mexicans (or any other nation) that are allowed to come here and apply for citizenship?

IMO, they are illegally geting applications put through by aiders and abbettors.

I WILL NEVER ACCEPT A MEXICAN WHO DOESNT WAIT THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF TIME ALLOWED AND DOESNT FOLLOW EVERY SINGLE LAW AND RULE TO OBTAIN CITIZENSHIP THE LEGAL WAY.

spanish-language media encouraging hispanics to become US citizen so the newly minted Americans can push for a change in our country, well a Hispanic one of course, so the spanish-language media can make more money!

Who controls the spanish-language radios, newspapers and TV in the US?

I can't WAIT til they see how much THEY will also be paying to subsidize illegal aliens. Of course, they will keep their dual citizenship and use it to profit from. With citizenship comes RESPONSIBILITY.

Originally Posted by Texas2step

I wonder if these new American citizens also hold dual citizenship with Mexico?

What did Calderon say? Wherever there's a Mexican...there is Mexico?

Originally Posted by Texas2step

I wonder if these new American citizens also hold dual citizenship with Mexico?

How can that be allowed here? When they take the citizenship oath they are supposed to denounce loyalty to their previous Country. Why aren't they being held to that?

Originally Posted by cvangel

Originally Posted by Texas2step

I wonder if these new American citizens also hold dual citizenship with Mexico?

How can that be allowed here? When they take the citizenship oath they are supposed to denounce loyalty to their previous Country. Why aren't they being held to that?

Because mexicans are "special"

It's not just Mexico. A lot of countries allow dual citizenship.

A good friend of mine is an American by birth (through her mother), but grew up in Switzerland. She's now applying for citizenship in Switzerland so she can have citizenship in both countries (eventually she may go back to Switzerland to take over her father's theater company, at his request, unless she gets married here in U.S. in the next few years and changes her mind).

TexasGal

MEXICAN DUAL NATIONALITY PROGRAM
PRESERVATION OF MEXICAN NATIONALITY
(Dual Citizenship)

NATIONALITY LAW EXTENDED INDEFINITELY

* It will strengthen links among Mexicans at home and abroad.

* It will allow Mexicans to keep their nationality after adopting another one from a foreign country.

* It will give individuals who may have lost their Mexican nationality, an opportunity to recover it.


The Nationality law which allows the preservation of Mexican nationality, regardless of the acquisition of another nationality or citizenship, is effective as of march 20th, 1998.

This law, which is based upon a constitutional reform approved unanimously by the Mexican Congress on December 1996, will allow Mexicans who live abroad and decide to adopt a foreign nationality or citizenship, to keep their Mexican nationality. It will also allow those individuals who were originally Mexicans and are now citizens of another country, to regain Mexican nationality.

1.- Background


The Mexican provisions regarding nationality, in effect over the last decades, stated that any Mexican who obtained another nationality would lose their Mexican nationality.

This has implied that Mexicans living abroad have had a face a dilemma regarding naturalization: on the one hand, if they became naturalized in their host countries in order to improve their migratory and legal status, they lost their Mexican nationality and all of their rights. On the other hand, if they did not obtain another nationality so as to retain the Mexican one, they were unable to fully exercise their rights in their host country.

In order to find a solution to this matter, on December 10, 1996, the Mexican Congress approved President Ernesto Zedillo's initiative regarding Articles 30, 32 and 37 of the Constitution which allows Mexicans to preserve their nationality, regardless of acquisition of another nationality or citizenship.

These reforms will also allow those Mexicans who are already citizens of another country to regain Mexican nationality.
2.- Who may benefit from this amendment


Mexicans living abroad, and willing to be naturalized as citizens of their host country, will be able to obtain that nationality while preserving the Mexican one.

Mexicans who have already acquired another nationality will be able to regain the Mexican one. Children of Mexicans at birth or naturalized will be able to acquire Mexican nationality.

For those Mexicans who have lost their nationality, there will be a period of five years, beginning the day of the entry into force of the amendment, in which they may recover it. The procedure of the followed is ready to be implemented as of March 20, 1998 and its simplicity and efficacy are ensured.
3.- Main benefits


The constitutional reforms and the new law provide the necessary legal framework to the principle of "Non-forfeit of Mexican Nationality", a long awaited demand be Mexicans living abroad. These Mexicans communities have long wished to preserve the rights the Mexican Constitution grants to its nationals and to maintain cultural and family ties with Mexico.

Mexicans living abroad will be free to travel and live in Mexico whenever they wish to do so, without having to comply with complicated formalities or apply for permits required for foreigners.

They will be able to buy land without any of the restrictions applied for foreigners. Likewise, none of the restrictions regarding inheritance and employment, concerning foreigners, can be applied.

Mexicans who regain nationality will continue to pay taxes in the country where they reside and earn income.

Mexicans living abroad will not be required to serve in the Mexican armed forces. They will only be required to register at the age of 18, either in Mexico or at its consulates or embassies.
4.- Implications on Voting Rights


Unlike other countries, Mexican legislation establishes a distinction between nationality and citizenship. Nationality refers to how people feel they belong to their country. Nationality is based on one's place of birth and the origins on one's parents. Citizenship implies nationality, as well as, the exercising of political rights which are acquired upon reaching legal age and residence among other requisites. The constitutional reform only modifies provisions related to nationality.

This amendment is not related in any way with the right to vote. So far, no Mexican living abroad is able to vote in any election held in Mexican territory.

Voting is related with citizenship. Thus, the possibility of eventually voting abroad is being separately analyzed and, in any case, would be regulated by The Federal Code of Electoral Institutions and Procedures. Thus, the nationality constitutional amendment and law do not affect voting matters.

DECLARATION OF MEXICAN NATIONALITY
The Mexican Government is granting the opportunity to people of Mexican decent who are naturalized citizens or citizen by birth of another country, to recover their Mexican Nationality.

To obtain the Declaration of Mexican Nationality, the interested party must meet the following:


REQUIREMENTS

Be at least 18 years of age and of sound mind.


Complete the application at the Mexican Consulate.


Present the following documents in original and two photocopies:


If the person was born in United States:


A Certified copy of the Birth Certificate, apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing authority.


Original or certified copies of the Mexican father or mother's birth certificate.


If the person was born in Mexico


Original or certified copy of the birth certificate.



Married women need to present the marriage certificate.


Document that proves the U.S. citizenship (i.e. passport or Certificate of Naturalization).


Official picture ID (i.e. Driver's license, passport, California ID, etc.)


Two-passport size photos.


This is a toll free process; the Mexican Consulate is the only autorizated institution to complete it. Upon receiving the Declaration of Mexican Nationality, a $14.00 fee will be assessed.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------