Can I get dual citizenship w/these circumstances?

[sadiegirl82]

Hello,

Hope someone can help. My grandfather was born in Italy in 1919 and he came to the US in 1920. In 1944, he was forced to naturalize by the US Army for WW II. He did not want to but did so under pressure from the local authorities. Does this rule out dual citizenship or can something be done while he is still alive to change the way this situation is viewed by the Italian consular?

Thanks,
Sadie

[mler]

Unfortunately, naturalization, whether it was done enthusiastically or grudgingly, constitutes renunciation. During WWII, the U.S. was at war with Italy (I think, though, that Italy had surrendered by 1944), and it would no doubt have been difficult for your granddad to say, "No way; I'm going back to Italy." But naturalize he did, and it does count.

BTW, he did have the opportunity to undo this between 1992 and 1997, but that opportunity has passed.

[sadiegirl82]

Thanks for clearing all of that up.

Sadie