Comments on: Why I’m Not Voting Today

By: Xochitl

Xochitl — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:11:31 +0000

Luckily, I am able to have dual citizenship and got my citizenship as soon as I could in order to vote and make my voice heard, I feel that since I pay taxes I should be able to vote, is a great feeling…

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 22:15:03 +0000

I totally get what you are saying. I am a fellow Peruvian and have been in this country for 11 years. I had some of the same struggles you had about becoming a U.S. citizen. I am married to an American citizen so I only had to wait 3 years but didn’t start the process until after 5 years of marriage. One of the things that made the decision easier for me was the fact that Peru allows for dual citizenship. I think I wouldn’t have done it had this not been the case. My becoming an American Citizen did not mean that I had to give up my Peruvian Citizenship. I am and will always be a Peruvian citizen in paper and in my heart – even if I never become a Peruvian resident again.

It was particularly exciting for me as I was expecting my first child when I attended my Naturalization ceremony.

It is a very personal decision and no one should be judged for doing or not doing what doesn’t feel comfortable.

By: Casey

Casey — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:30:15 +0000

Ali, because of the structure of Colombian citizenship you can be a dual citizen. The country doesn’t recognize loss of citizenship and as far as I know you don’t have to renounce other citizenships to become a Colombian citizen. My was born in the US and we are in the process of getting the paperwork filled out for his Colombian citizenship, but because of the way the law is written his is and will always be a Colombian, even if we didn’t fill out the papers, because he is the son of a Colombian father his citizenship is his patrimony.

By: Casey

Casey — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:19:23 +0000

I feel like I understand you. My husband went back and forth about the same issue for a long time and I think the only reason why he is now on his way to becoming a US citizen is because his country of origin doesn’t recognize loss of citizenship. A lot of people don’t realize that to be a US citizen you have to renounce your home country citizenship, which is something very difficult and very emotional for many people. I don’t know what the citizenship law is in Peru, but I can say that even if I moved to another country and made my life there I would have a hard time becoming a citizen there if it meant renouncing my US citizenship. There is no reason that one can’t be a full member of their adopted community, while still loving their home country.
All of us here have bicultural children who are going to have to deal with the same tug between two countries and we certainly aren’t going to tell them they are any less one than the other. We love them for who they are and what they do as people, not based on where from or how many different passports they have. Somos todos Americanos, con sangre Americano, porque nuestro continente es uno de inmigrantes y un pueblo muy bien mezclado.

By: Carolina

Carolina — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 09:44:25 +0000

You are the one who made the commentary that your heart is not in this country. You are the one expecting some backlash….if you can’t handle that then like I said go back to Peru! If you are living in America then embrace it! And if you can’t take the heat then get out of the kitchen!

By: Ana

Ana — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 02:46:01 +0000

Carolina- Completely uncalled for. Por favor, a tad of respect in your criticism even when you disagree. To each their own.

By: Gale

Gale — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:38:53 +0000

No lynching, just curiosity. How does it work not being a citizen, but living here? Are you able to get permanent residence without citizenship? Do you have to keep paperwork updated and all that?

I understand not wanting to give up your citizenship in Peru. I had the same feeling about my home state (not country) of California when I moved to Texas. I kept my California licence for years. I voted by absentee ballot for years. I finally gave in and became an “official Texas citizen” because because of all the things that were a hastle, but I drug my feet as long as I could. I can imagine that’s an even harder step when you’re not just crossing state lines, but crossing borders.

I have roots now and Texas is my home, but still not the way California is. The place you’re born always stays with you.

By: Roxana A. Soto

Roxana A. Soto — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:43:29 +0000

Ali, writing that part of the book wasn’t easy, for sure. But it’s the truth and I wanted to make sure I was as honest as possible regarding this issue. In an effort not to make the excerpt super long, I omitted some paragraphs (that’s why I put the asterisk), which get into a lot more detail as to the reasons behind my decision. Those who are interested, can find the whole section in our book.

Thanks for sharing your story and how amazing that residents are able to vote in mayoral elections in Colombia!

By: Roxana A. Soto

Roxana A. Soto — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:39:43 +0000

Thanks for stopping by! What I posted above is but an excerpt of an entire chapter that explains this whole issue in much more detail…

By: Ali

Ali — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:33:21 +0000

Thanks for sharing what could be a very unpopular viewpoint! I definitely appreciate your honesty – with yourself and even with the United States. I know of a lot of people become US citizens because the opportunity is there and lets face it – a lot of things in life are easier with a US passport. I actually did become a US citizen as a child and have always been very proud of it and treated my rights with a lot of respect. (still cant become president though and that makes me mad!!)

After having spent about 3 years in Colombia, I got very involved in their recent presidential election (along with my husband). We were so excited, went to rallies, and basically had a lot of Obama-esque hope. I was so dissappointed when our candidate didnt win – I even went with my husband to vote (just for the experience.) I don´t think I will ever become a Colombian citizen, but boy did I want to vote in that election. (I actually can vote in mayoral elections as a resident.)