Whenever someone asks me what my nationality is, I always happily respond with “half-Canadian, half-American.” I have always been proud of my dual citizenship. In fact, whenever I have to do an ice breaker activity and must share a fun fact about myself, I typically say that I have dual citizenship. As I have grown older, I have realized 3 things about my citizenship: not everyone understands how it works, it is not that uncommon, and the significance of dual citizenship has rapidly changed within the last 3 months.
Having dual citizenship means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Obtaining dual citizenship does not have a strict universal procedure that all countries must follow. Each country has its own laws regarding dual citizenship and oftentimes some countries do not allow for dual citizenship at all. If someone wishes to become a dual citizen, it is important that they research both countries’ laws about dual citizenship prior to attempting to obtain dual citizenship. Also, there are many different reasons why people want to obtain dual citizenship. Some people want dual citizenship in order to be able to travel easier, have a greater connection to their ancestral roots, and more. In certain cases, people can also have citizenship by descent. I am one of those people. My mom was born and raised in Canada and immigrated to the U.S. for better teaching opportunities but still kept her Canadian citizenship. On the other hand, my dad was born and raised in California, so he has American citizenship. When I was born, my mom applied for me to have dual citizenship through Canada because Canada allows for citizenship to be passed down. Thus, I have had dual citizenship since I was only 3 months old. If I ever wish to no longer have dual citizenship, I can either apply to renounce my Canadian citizenship through the Government of Canada, or actively renounce my U.S. citizenship (but I plan on always having it). Dual citizenship is a unique status that offers benefits and responsibilities, and for those who have it, understanding the legal implications is extremely important.
The rate of people obtaining dual citizenship has greatly increased over the years as people become more tolerant of other governments from around the world. According to Global Citizen Forum, “Back in 1960, just one-third of the countries allowed dual citizenship compared with 75% in 2019” (The Rise of Dual Citizenship: Who Are These Multi-Local Global Citizens). As society evolves and becomes generally more accepting of other cultures, governments, and lifestyles, the rise of dual citizenship increases. Coming across someone with dual citizenship used to be very rare. In fact, in the past decades, critics viewed dual citizens as traitorous because they were skeptical of dual citizens’ loyalties and identities. However, nowadays, I find myself meeting more and more people with dual citizenship. In fact, I have also been lucky enough to meet people with triple citizenship.
As previously mentioned, the stigma around dual citizenship has not always been positive. Although within the last 3 months, the stigma has swiftly changed. With the election of president Trump, a greater number of Americans have been applying for dual citizenship within the last 3 months. Following Trump’s election in 2024, various migration firms reported a surge in inquiries from Americans seeking dual citizenship or foreign residency. According to Business Insider, with the first week of his election, “Google searches in the US for dual citizenship hit a five-year high” (We asked 3 migration firms about what they’re hearing in the first 48 hours after the election). Most Americans who wished to obtain dual citizenship or foreign residency came from Democratic-leaning states. This can be seen by the spike in rates of applications for Irish and U.K. citizenship within the last 4 years. In 2024, over 31,000 Americans applied for Irish citizenship, marking a 10% increase from the previous year” (Irish passport applications surge as more Americans seek EU access). The overwhelming interest in dual citizenship and foreign residency from American citizens has been seen across the country as more Americans use it for a new reason: defense. Many Americans have expressed a desire for dual citizenship due to concerns about the next 4 years under Trump’s presidency. Many also feel that holding dual citizenship provides a sense of security, knowing that in times of political uncertainty or crisis, they have the option to relocate to their second country. This dramatic shift highlights a significant change in the perception and usage of dual citizenship. What was once seen as an act of disloyalty to one’s home country has now become a safeguard–a means of protection against danger and threats within that very nation.
As dual citizenship becomes increasingly more popular, its significance and global impact continues to grow. For me, it has always been a source of pride–one that now carries even greater meaning in an increasingly uncertain world.