3 ms·

Everyone born is an “accidental” citizen of some country - I don’t believe it’s possible to be born entirely stateless (and in the narrow circumstances in which

Everyone born is an “accidental” citizen of some country - I don’t believe it’s possible to be born entirely stateless (and in the narrow circumstances in which it has occurred, by all accounts it is a tremendous headache and complication for anyone so afflicted). Out of curiosity, I looked up the process to renounce French citizenship. There’s an application to the central government (it is France, of course) which seems to be non-ministerial in whether it is granted or denied, coordination and communication with the nearest consulate or embassy (not clear whether a physical visit is required), filing of tax returns and payment of exit taxes if applicable and a fee to renounce. So, it would seem, possibly more complicated to renounce French citizenship if possibly less expensive in some circumstances. Seems like the sole difference here is the extraterritorial application of US federal income tax. But what a shocker that the WSJ might use a process that’s directionally similar worldwide and turn it into an attack on the US tax system specifically. So weird; almost like they had some sort of covert agenda.

throwaway67743 4y ago
Generally yes, but I think the US is still the only one where you become a citizen just by being born on the territory? Most countries are "by blood" so just being born somewhere doesn't mean anything if neither parent is a citizen. Obviously you probably already knew that but just for clarification...
- TheCoelacanth 4y ago
  I don't think that's remotely true. Nearly all of the Americas seem to be that way[1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_soli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_soli
  - throwaway67743 3y ago
    Oh that's interesting, thanks, I thought most places were not doing that anymore, or had restrictions (ie former countries that split in two or similar where if before X date you can have both or choose)
- dopidopHN 3y ago
  There is several other countries like that. France where the author is from is similar. You become French by having a French parent or being born on French soil. Overall it’s a more of a « new world » thing. But I would say a handful of other place in Europe have similar laws.
  - throwaway67743 3y ago
    Ah I wasn't aware of that, as pretty much all of Europe is by blood, although from Wikipedia in the French case it's not entirely automatic like say the US
    - dopidopHN 3y ago
      Yeah I remember looking at the differences a while back. It’s less automatic indeed. And some paper work has to be done to obtain definitive citizenship ( as opposed to a ad hoc visa ) That being said it’s still enough to be problematic in the comore / mayote area where people from the comore boat to nearby mayote to deliver kids on French soil. While I used to live with a French guy with US citizenship because he was accidentally born earlier there. ( he did not speak good English, never set a foot on US soil after his first month )

throwaway67743 4y ago

Generally yes, but I think the US is still the only one where you become a citizen just by being born on the territory? Most countries are "by blood" so just being born somewhere doesn't mean anything if neither parent is a citizen. Obviously you probably already knew that but just for clarification...

TheCoelacanth 4y ago
I don't think that's remotely true. Nearly all of the Americas seem to be that way[1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_soli https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jus_soli
- throwaway67743 3y ago
  Oh that's interesting, thanks, I thought most places were not doing that anymore, or had restrictions (ie former countries that split in two or similar where if before X date you can have both or choose)
dopidopHN 3y ago
There is several other countries like that. France where the author is from is similar. You become French by having a French parent or being born on French soil. Overall it’s a more of a « new world » thing. But I would say a handful of other place in Europe have similar laws.
- throwaway67743 3y ago
  Ah I wasn't aware of that, as pretty much all of Europe is by blood, although from Wikipedia in the French case it's not entirely automatic like say the US
  - dopidopHN 3y ago
    Yeah I remember looking at the differences a while back. It’s less automatic indeed. And some paper work has to be done to obtain definitive citizenship ( as opposed to a ad hoc visa ) That being said it’s still enough to be problematic in the comore / mayote area where people from the comore boat to nearby mayote to deliver kids on French soil. While I used to live with a French guy with US citizenship because he was accidentally born earlier there. ( he did not speak good English, never set a foot on US soil after his first month )