‘I don’t want to be part of a dictatorship’: the Americans queueing up to renounce their citizenship
Summary
Many Americans living abroad are trying to give up their US citizenship. The process takes a long time and costs a lot of money, but more people are doing it now because of political and social concerns in the US.Key Facts
- Renouncing US citizenship can take over a year in some places like London because of long waiting lists.
- The official fee for renouncing citizenship was lowered from $2,350 to $450 after a legal case.
- Additional legal fees can raise the total cost to $7,000 to $10,000.
- The number of Americans giving up citizenship has grown from hundreds per year in the 2000s to thousands since 2014.
- Some people decide to renounce because they dislike recent US politics or fear the country is becoming less democratic.
- The renunciation process includes an oath, a neutral official, and canceling the passport by punching holes in it.
- Individuals mention specific political moments, like the 2016 election and the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, as reasons for their decision.
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