Had to go to the US Consulate for some business this past week. Boy do I hate going to Santo Domingo, but that is another story. While at the US Consulate I quizzed a Consular Agent, a very helpful man, about what he thought about someone being a dual US and DR citizen versus being a DR resident.
We discussed the new residency renewal requirements in the DR and he said they were indeed ridiculous. He said that he did not see any major issues with being a dual US/DR citizen. And that it would make sense for many to become DR citizens rather than go through the hassle of renewal and potential of eventual denial of residency at some future point (if you don't pass the physical for renewal, for example).
That said, he mentioned two things that a US citizen SHOULD NOT DO if they also hold DR citizenship:
1) They should not vote in Dominican elections (even though a naturalized DR citizen can legally vote in the DR.)
2) They should not run for any political office in the DR. A definite no-no!
Both of those things are heavily frowned upon by the US and could cause you problems with your US citizenship. Just thought I would pass this on for those considering to be US/DR dual citizens.
We discussed the new residency renewal requirements in the DR and he said they were indeed ridiculous. He said that he did not see any major issues with being a dual US/DR citizen. And that it would make sense for many to become DR citizens rather than go through the hassle of renewal and potential of eventual denial of residency at some future point (if you don't pass the physical for renewal, for example).
That said, he mentioned two things that a US citizen SHOULD NOT DO if they also hold DR citizenship:
1) They should not vote in Dominican elections (even though a naturalized DR citizen can legally vote in the DR.)
2) They should not run for any political office in the DR. A definite no-no!
Both of those things are heavily frowned upon by the US and could cause you problems with your US citizenship. Just thought I would pass this on for those considering to be US/DR dual citizens.