scrubbedexpat099

[QUOTE=Phillygal;9705367] She wrote the letter.

Presumably she still has the Passport anyway, if not just apply for another one.

Cost varies between that of a stamp and a passport application, much better than trying to argue with idiots and not winning.

nun

Yes what seem like innocent enough choices can have consequences later on. My US career path took me in a direction where to further advance I had to get a security clearance. But I didn't want to give up my UK passport so I chose to change careers.

lolly

My Son wa born in the UK had both UK/US passports
Joined the Army as an Officer has a top secret clearance - he was asked if he had a passport from any other country said no and that was the end of it.
They were more interested in the fact that I was not a citizen - but he still got his clearance in 6 months.

scrubbedexpat099

Presumably he did not have one when asked?

Or he did not have it on him?

nun

I assume he didn't have a UK passport as lying in the process of obtaining a clearance is a serious federal crime, it says so on the forms. If he did have a UK passport it would be a good idea to "loose it" and he should definitely NEVER use it or apply for a new one. Also maybe this post should not be replied to by anyone who knows the soldier with the clearance as it's never good to put stuff in writing, you don't know who may be reading it!

lolly

His UK passport had just expired.
But at anytime he can apply for another one.
But my point is that not at any time was he asked to sign anything saying he would give up his UK citizenship.

scrubbedexpat099

Remember the old adage when it comes to Immigration issues.

Do you know the time is a yes or no question.

Stupid questions only need to be answered as asked, no need to go any further.

nun

If he wants to keep the US clearance he cannot get a UK passport. At any reviews he must not show a preference for the UK so he must be able to answer truthfully that he doesn't have a UK passport.

Having UK citizenship is not an issue when it comes getting a US clearance. The issue is showing a preference for the UK over the US. If the clearance lapses and he then gets a UK passport that would look very bad if he ever wanted to reactivate it.

ian-mstm

Unless the officer asked if he had an unexpired passport from any other country... then your son lied, and when he gets caught he'll be in deep shit. The two questions aren't the same... and an expired passport is still valid proof of citizenship.

Ian

nun

You are missing the point slightly. The security officer obviously knew about the applicants citizenship and that of his mother. If he had a UK passport he would have been asked to hand it in to a UK consulate or give it to the security officer so be couldn't use it. As bs didnd have a valid UK passport the applicant answered appropriately.

ian-mstm

I based my response on what was written... not on what might be conjectured. Mom wrote "he was asked if he had a passport from any other country said no". Since he had a passport, expired or not, he lied. Now, that might not have been what mom meant to write, but neither of us are mind readers.

At any rate, I don't care enough about it to bother.

Ian

HDWill

Whatever we have to do to keep the Redcoats from infiltrating our nation's security apparatus.

lolly

Thank you

kayinaz

pineapple2009 - did you renounce your British citizenship and how long did it take to get the confirmation back once you had submitted the paperwork? I really need to know for my son who is also going through this.

marmaladecat1

It was a quick process, less than a month or so.

I renounced so that I could join the US military in order to lessen the burden of dental school debt, and planned on regaining citizenship after my US military stint was over. I was clear about this when contacting the British embassy. They assured me I could regain full status as a citizen one time. Perfect, right?

No. I still regret it. I did re-gain UK citizenship. After the oath ceremony I asked how I can ensure my unborn daughter to be will also be able to become a citizen of the UK. I was immediately told that while I was just assured that I have regained my "previous citizenship status", I now can not pass on my citizenship to any children. i.e. I do not have the same status.

I don't feel this was made clear to me given that I stated that I will only cease to be British for a short while.

They did assure me however, that my children will be allowed to live and work in the UK as long as I am also in the UK. Considering what had happened until then I am not convinced that even that is true.

So, my advice is obvious: don't renounce unless you really have to. UK citizenship is too precious a thing to place in jeopardy.

Short question, long answer. I hope this helps.

P.