> Simply not true. British citizenship has no bearing on U.S. citizenship.
Interesting. I was always under the impression that if I wanted to become an American, I would have to relinquish my other citizenships: not because Canada, the UK and NZ would insist I do so, but because America would require it.
Is this the true state-of-affairs?
As part of the naturalization process you are required to take an oath of allegiance to the United States and giving up allegiance to any foreign government. But that's different from dual citizenship bestowed because of birth. In that case citizenship in both countries is automatic because of the laws in each.
Jenifer Granholm (born in Canada/British?) cannot run for President
Irrelevant. A person who is natural-born (like Obama, assuming he was really born in Hawaii) is not trying to "become an American", he already is.
I was naturalized in 2007, but retained my two other citizenships. All perfectly legal and the US is aware that I hold passports from two other countries.
You swear an oath of allegiance to the US when you are naturalized, but there is no legal requirement that you relinquish any other citizenships.
When you become an American citizen, you have to take an oath of primary loyalty to the US, and promise to serve in the military if called, but your original citizenship is between you and the other country - the US doesn’t care. Indeed, you are warned that if you travel back, even on your US passport, you may be subject to their laws.
I’ve been told that India doesn’t allow dual citizenship; Mexico used to be the same, but changed their laws a few years ago to allow it.
As you can see below, the actual oath appears, at first glance, to be stronger than what I’ve said above, but my statements reflect the actual practice.
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”