Be Italian!

Be Italian!

Last night, I ran into Renato Turano, the bread guy (token food reference) who is running for the Italian Senate, representing North America, Canada to Panama. So we’re shooting the breeze, badabingbadaboo, and I offer congrats, apologizing that I can’t vote for him, and he asks, “You Italian?”

In the following conversation, Renato claims that if I can prove that my great grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of my mother’s birth, I can acquire dual citizenship and vote in the next election for Italian Senate. And so can The Wife and kids.

I found this an intriguing possibility (I’m currently investigating), and I feel that some others on this board may as well.

Hammond

HI,

Three of my sisters have obtained Irish passports because our Grandparents were born in Ireland. One of my sisters may be using her Irish passport as a means to live in Europe because this passport would be honored as a European Economic Community member. While my sisters may have these passports, I'm not sure they are really dual citizens or at least I am dubious on this.

I don't have any desires to follow my sister's path. If you enter a country with an Irish passport, you cannot expect the US government to bring on their diplomatic cavalry if you run into trouble. There might be some occasions where a border control may not be too friendly to someone with two passports.

Now if the passports also conveyed upon the bearer the responsibility of paying social and income taxes to both countries, then many would likely drop them like a hot potato!

I look forward to learning more about your experiences if you persue this opportunity.

Regards,

Cathy's point about the responsibilities that accompany dual citizenship is well-taken. I have a Greek-American friend who faced compulsory military service if he went to Greece on vacation. He finally sorted the matter out, but it was a bureaucratic nightmare, and kept him from seeing relatives for over a year. My understanding, though, is that Italy requires only a pledge to refrain from eating industrial pizza.':wink:' David shouldn't have too much trouble with that.

Josephine wrote:Cathy's point about the responsibilities that accompany dual citizenship is well-taken. I have a Greek-American friend who faced compulsory military service if he went to Greece on vacation.

I can't imagine what country Italy might invade that would require my military services, but hey, I'm getting to the age where I'm up for pretty much anything.

Hammond

And David, you do have the camo wardrobe so you can at least look the part!

Italian Consulate in Chicago. Click on the Citezenship link on the left and scroll to "Information on Italian Citizenship for People of Italian Descent, born in the United States."

Cathy2 wrote:And David, you do have the camo wardrobe so you can at least look the part!

Thanks in part to you. I do notice that law enforcement seems to give me an extra once-over when they spot my camo vest. Fortunately, my sunny disposition usually persuades them that I'm not coming heavy to the 7-11.

Hammond