Acquiring EU citizenship - good idea? Forum

[lawls]

I an 0L who will be attending law school Fall 2011, probably at Harvard or Yale (very strong numbers, good softs, so at least one should work out). In the meantime, I have the chance to acquire my EU citizenship without too much hassle. I'm not looking to emigrate immediately, but I have thought that pursuing employment opportunities, or foreign exchange programs while in school--Harvard especially seems to have some interesting opportunities, though I've only started to research them--might be affected, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this.

My long term goal is to pursue academia, and I am particularly interested in comparative work (I have already pursued some graduate work to this effect, and expect to be doing cross-disciplinary work). So my major reason for thinking about EU citizenship is that it might make foreign appointments easier, and the EU might be an eventual destination. I realize the obvious point that I'll have an American JD, but given the potential reach of, say, Harvard, I could use some insight as to what kind of opportunities or pitfalls I might face with dual-citizenship.

Thanks in advance!

[Teoeo]

Being a dual citizen (USA//Spain), I can only think of one small pitfall: having trouble working for the US government in some sort of diplomatic post (if they consider you to have a conflict of interest). Other than that, I can't think of a single reason not to become a member of the EU, it's awesome! =D

[Renzo]

Being a dual citizen (USA//Spain), I can only think of one small pitfall: having trouble working for the US government in some sort of diplomatic post (if they consider you to have a conflict of interest). Other than that, I can't think of a single reason not to become a member of the EU, it's awesome! =D

This goes beyond diplomatic missions. Anything where you'll need to pass a federal background check will want to you to prove your loyalty to the US, including wanting a good explanation as to why you sought citizenship in another country as an adult.

[thisguy456]

Being a dual citizen (USA//Spain), I can only think of one small pitfall: having trouble working for the US government in some sort of diplomatic post (if they consider you to have a conflict of interest). Other than that, I can't think of a single reason not to become a member of the EU, it's awesome! =D

Teoeo and Renzo are correct. Since it seems inevitable that you will be attending Harvard or Yale, be wary of the potential pitfalls concerning the highest job positions in the U.S. Upon your nomination to positions of counsel in Department of State, Defense, White House, or Attorney General, the administration and voters at large may ask, quite frankly, whose side are you on? You will be asked to renounce that citizenship.

Perhaps for positions such as ambassadorships--for which you are undoubtedly being groomed--a dual citizenship may help, just as long as you are not, again, being asked to renounce the citizenship before taking the post.

As a plus, though, it can only help your bona fides as professor at the highest institutions, the doors of which continue to remain open for you. Establishing research abroad on prevalent EU policy concerns and issues will only be aided by your standing as an official EU citizen.

[lawls]

Thanks all for the very good information thus far. I really hadn't thought about how dual-citizenship would affect government employment, though I obviously should have. Would there be a similar hurdle if, for instance, one wanted to work for high-level think tanks that are geared towards public policy (granted that the effect would be different depending on the organization)? Or is this strictly a concern regarding government employment?

[Renzo]

Thanks all for the very good information thus far. I really hadn't thought about how dual-citizenship would affect government employment, though I obviously should have. Would there be a similar hurdle if, for instance, one wanted to work for high-level think tanks that are geared towards public policy (granted that the effect would be different depending on the organization)? Or is this strictly a concern regarding government employment?

Generally speaking, you don't have to be loyal to the US to work in academia/think tanks. Plenty of foreign-born, non-citizens in such fields.

[Teoeo]

Thanks all for the very good information thus far. I really hadn't thought about how dual-citizenship would affect government employment, though I obviously should have. Would there be a similar hurdle if, for instance, one wanted to work for high-level think tanks that are geared towards public policy (granted that the effect would be different depending on the organization)? Or is this strictly a concern regarding government employment?

Generally speaking, you don't have to be loyal to the US to work in academia/think tanks. Plenty of foreign-born, non-citizens in such fields.

+1

[ArmyVet07]

Thanks all for the very good information thus far. I really hadn't thought about how dual-citizenship would affect government employment, though I obviously should have. Would there be a similar hurdle if, for instance, one wanted to work for high-level think tanks that are geared towards public policy (granted that the effect would be different depending on the organization)? Or is this strictly a concern regarding government employment?

It would be an issue with any positions that require a security clearance.

[bwv812]

,

[worldtraveler]

I'm not sure about how dual citizenship would affect this, but if I were you I would check out eligibility requirements for things like the Fulbright, USIP, or other fellowships that people pursuing academia tend to use. Some of them may have requirements stipulating you can only be a US citizen. I don't remember any specifically mentioning dual citizenship but it might be in the fine print somewhere.

[ScaredWorkedBored]

Thanks all for the very good information thus far. I really hadn't thought about how dual-citizenship would affect government employment, though I obviously should have. Would there be a similar hurdle if, for instance, one wanted to work for high-level think tanks that are geared towards public policy (granted that the effect would be different depending on the organization)? Or is this strictly a concern regarding government employment?

It would be an issue with any positions that require a security clearance.

This. The US permits dual citizenship but that doesn't mean you're not going to get raked for it if you need a security clearance.

[General Tso]

You'd be crazy not to take EU citizenship...there are so many of us that would jump at that opportunity. If you are going to Harvard or something you needn't worry about having to take a government job.

[jonas]

If you are going to Harvard or something you needn't worry about having to take a government job.

Government work isn't a fall-back for everyone. For some of us, it's the goal. And many of the elite federal government attorney positions (OLC, State Dept Office of the Legal Adviser, etc.) are just as competitive as the fanciest firm jobs.

It's also worth noting that security clearances aren't limited to government jobs. Some private-sector positions also require clearances (e.g., in the government contracts and homeland security practice groups at some large firms).

[General Tso]

If you are going to Harvard or something you needn't worry about having to take a government job.

Government work isn't a fall-back for everyone. For some of us, it's the goal. And many of the elite federal government attorney positions (OLC, State Dept Office of the Legal Adviser, etc.) are just as competitive as the fanciest firm jobs.

Obviously I know this...OP's posts don't make it seem like government work is his goal.

[Renzo]

You'd be crazy not to take EU citizenship...there are so many of us that would jump at that opportunity. If you are going to Harvard or something you needn't worry about having to take a government job.

Plus, you could ditch out on your student loans and go live wherever else you have citizenship!

[lonerightly]

You'd be crazy not to take EU citizenship...there are so many of us that would jump at that opportunity. If you are going to Harvard or something you needn't worry about having to take a government job.

You should be hung for treason.

Have fun living here OP
--ImageRemoved--

[lawls]

Thanks again for all the additional insight.

About fellowships etc., most of the applications I've seen only specify that you need to be a U.S. citizen, and don't forbid/mention dual-citizenship, so I think I'm o.k. on that front. I will dig deeper though, and it is a good suggestion. Perhaps EU citizenship would open up fellowships and the like in Europe? My academic work does deal with European policy concerns, so the connection isn't trivial.

The government angle--government work and government contracts--is making me pause a little, as I do have a secondary interest in federal government jobs.

Are there any particular benefits to obtaining EU citizenship--other than people wanting/liking to live in the EU--that might be worth specifying? I mean, other than leaving Freedom for an Islamic Empire (cf. picture above)?

[nealric]

--ImageRemoved--

To the OP, I think it would be pretty sweet to be cleared to work anywhere in the EU. I can't see much of a reason to avoid it unless your plan is to work for the state department or something.

[joeshmo39]

Being a dual citizen (USA//Spain), I can only think of one small pitfall: having trouble working for the US government in some sort of diplomatic post (if they consider you to have a conflict of interest). Other than that, I can't think of a single reason not to become a member of the EU, it's awesome! =D

Teoeo and Renzo are correct. Since it seems inevitable that you will be attending Harvard or Yale, be wary of the potential pitfalls concerning the highest job positions in the U.S. Upon your nomination to positions of counsel in Department of State, Defense, White House, or Attorney General, the administration and voters at large may ask, quite frankly, whose side are you on? You will be asked to renounce that citizenship.

Perhaps for positions such as ambassadorships--for which you are undoubtedly being groomed--a dual citizenship may help, just as long as you are not, again, being asked to renounce the citizenship before taking the post.

As a plus, though, it can only help your bona fides as professor at the highest institutions, the doors of which continue to remain open for you. Establishing research abroad on prevalent EU policy concerns and issues will only be aided by your standing as an official EU citizen.

That was a very funny post, props. Also, OP, you should be advised the cold war is over and the stars and stripes won. Better to wise up sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous User]

As someone who is ALSO a dual EU/US passport holder, GO FOR IT.

For all the folks looking in the crystal ball into the future, when you actually
a) get in
b) graduate
c) get big govt/security job

won't giving up the EU passport be a nice problem to have? Until said time, at least you get through the express lane at Heathrow!