Americans worldwide renounce US citizenship in growing numbers, report says
Americans abroad are massively giving up passports (photo: Getty Images)
Thousands of Americans around the world are standing in months-long queues to renounce US citizenship. They say they simply have no other choice, reports The Guardian.
Queues a year ahead
In the 2000s, hundreds of people renounced American citizenship each year. After 2014, already thousands. A new record is expected this year.
For example, the waiting time to renounce citizenship at the London consulate already exceeds 14 months.
The reason is the reduction of the state fee from 2,350 to 450 dollars after a lawsuit. However, the real cost of the procedure with a lawyer ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 dollars.
"I don't want to be a citizen of a dictatorship"
People name different reasons. Some cite disappointment in US politics, others — practical problems.
"I don't want to be a citizen of a dictatorship. We're going to find out whether or not this government is willing to give up power democratically this November (at the midterm elections - ed.). I have strong doubts as to whether they're going to give up power," says 36-year-old Joseph from Norway.
Fifty-five-year-old Paul from Helsinki decided to act after a photo from the swearing-in ceremony of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
"Five minutes later, I was Googling 'find a renunciation lawyer', and five minutes after that, I had sent an email to them," Paul says.
Taxes and banks — another reason
The United States is the only country in the world (apart from Eritrea) that taxes its citizens regardless of their place of residence. Because of this, foreign banks are required to transfer data on American clients to the United States.
"I had a job offer in Switzerland, with really good pay, and I couldn't accept it because no Swiss bank would give me an account," says 66-year-old Ella, who lives in Germany.
Trump's ratings are rapidly falling
The approval rating of current US President Donald Trump continues to decline. According to pollsters, dissatisfaction among Americans is growing due to unfulfilled promises on the economy and foreign policy.
Some voters who supported him in the elections are now openly disappointed.
Meanwhile, the trust rating of Trump has already hit another anti-record — according to some polls, it has fallen to the lowest level of his entire second presidency.
Republicans are already discussing potential candidates for the next elections. Among the names mentioned at the party is Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
