Stephen wrote:
>The US has no requirement to decide.  From the US
>point of view, a child born in the US, and who also
>holds citizenship of another country through
>a parent, is allowed to keep both citizenships
>for life.  The other country has to allow this
>as well, and many do.

The State Department's Web Site has this to say about Dual Citizenship:

http://travel.state.gov/dualnationality.html

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two
countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship 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. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a
citizen of the country of birth.
A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person
naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of
birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to
choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically
granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However,
a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S.
citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the
person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice,
and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

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. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and
dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens
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. citizens, 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.
citizenship. Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose
citizenship.

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

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