104-Year-Old Woman Becomes U.S. Citizen After Two Decades

NBC Miami ^ | Aug 27, 2016

[nickcarraway]

A 104-year-old Jamaican mother became a naturalized U.S. citizen Friday, after living two decades in South Florida.

[gigster]

She waited to become a citizen for many of the reasons people wait. We ran a successful business here in northern Michigan, while my father lived in Detroit. What spurred her on to become a full fledged citizen was the fact that she loathed Bill Clinton and wanted to vote against him. A humorous part of the story was she wasn’t sure she could pass the citizenship part of the entrance test. I assured her she was as Americanized as anyone else taking the test.I used to take her up to Ste. Sault Marie Cananda to ultimately take the test. She passed with flying colors at the age of 69 years old.

[gigster]

Damn double posts...

[dp0622]

She could be that.

It’s great to see the generations change from first to third.

My father was born here but my mother wasn’t and she wouldn’t let italian be spoke in the house, but dad and grandma did a a lot anyway :) Her idea was this is America now. I have no problem with a kid knowing two languages, as long as ENGLISH is first.

Anyway. EVERY one my Italian friends growing up (all born around ‘68) would cut school and hang out, just barely graduating and some getting GEDs later on.

They’re all cops, firemen, construction, sanitation, electrician, a liquor warehouse manager (makes good money!!).

ALL of their kids have gone or are going to college.

I didn’t think my friends had it in them to break the chain but they did. They realized an education is important.

BUT I tell them if what their kid is taking or will take is worth paying tuition for :)

I’m the edumacated one of the group. Those of you who are familiar with me know how sad that is!!

[kearnyirish2]

I don’t believe the US recognizes dual citizenship; some other countries do if their citizens take an American citizenship oath, but the US doesn’t allow citizens to take foreign oaths and still keep their US citizenship. Some people believe they have both, but often have renounced their US citizenship without their knowledge (if taking another oath afterwards).

[gaijin]

I can’t understand how the country would be helped by importing this 80 year old person.

I don’t get it.

it helps her sure’ but how does it help America?

America should come first.

[Nifster]

There are no good reasons to wait. One is either here for the long haul and ought to become a citizen or they ought to do their work and leave

[usconservative]

My grandmother became a US Citizen at age 83 in 2003 after leaving Germany during WW2, then Hungary after WW2 concluded.

It's never too late! :-)

[MayflowerMadam]

“the same government assists them in signing up for the entire spectrum of public assistance from food stamp and section-eight housing assistance to medicaid.”

They’ll vote Democrat; it’s worth it to our government.

[gigster]

The fact that you feel compelled to comment about my own mother’s reasons for not becoming a citizen immediately and leaving her adopted country after the fact means I’ll never have any communications with you further here on FR. And, as my Aussie friends would say: P!ss off!

[Nifster]

Oh be a bit more butt hurt

[kabar]

Dual Nationality

Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth.

A U.S. national may acquire foreign nationality by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. national may not lose the nationality of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another nationality does not risk losing U.S. nationality. However, a person who acquires a foreign nationality by applying for it may lose U.S. nationality. In order to lose U.S. nationality, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign nationality voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. nationality.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct. The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. nationals may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist nationals abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there. Most U.S. nationals, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. nationality. Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose nationality.

Information on losing foreign nationality can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. nationality in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

[kearnyirish2]

Yeah, I was speaking of dual citizenship.

[kabar]

This is about dual citizenship. We recognize it. SCOTUS made that determination in Afroyim v. Rusk

There are plenty of Americans with dual citizenship with Israel.

[kearnyirish2]

Good luck asking for a foreign consul after taking a US citizenship oath.

[kabar]

? I used to issue visas overseas. What exactly are you talking about?

[kearnyirish2]

If you are a foreign citizen and you take an oath here, what do you think will happen if you’re arrested and want to play “foreign citizen”? It won’t work; in the eyes of the US, you are a US citizen. I know some people pretend they are special cases, but the fact is you took an oath as a US citizen.