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¹Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Colombian migrants, who have their own agenda of carving a place in their country of residence while maintaining their formal and informal links with their country of origin, have naturalized in great numbers following the enactment of Colombian dual citizenship legislation in 1990 and the US immigration reforms of 1990s. Contrary to fears that dual citizenship is detrimental to political engagement and a threat to US democracy, I argue that the maintenance of formal ties to their home-country does not result in migrants' political disengagement from their country of residence. Rather, transnational migrant organizations have played a critical role as agents of political engagement. Colombian dual citizenship has also facilitated migrants' decision to nationalize in order to prevent the loss of privileges that the US has restricted to those holding citizen status. Contrary to fears that this "instrumental" use of naturalization poses a danger to the nation, I argue that this motive for naturalization does not necessarily exclude migrants' interest in political participation and can, instead, be considered an opportunity for inclusion. Increasing migration of people who do not sever their ties with their home-countries is creating a political dynamic in which both the countries of origin and the countries of residence are becoming mutually influential. Naturalization and political participation have to be understood within this dynamic.

Latino Studies (2004) 2, 45-69. doi:10.1057/palgrave.lst.8600060

Colombia; dual citizenship; naturalization; migration; transnational organization; political participation