SHOPPING FOR ANTIQUES
Most countries in Central and South America control the export
of objects from their pre-Columbian and colonial heritage. This
may also include relics and/or reproductions of antiques. Some
countries claim ownership of all such material and consider the
export of antiques, without the permission of the government,
to be an act of theft. In addition, under U.S. law, importers
of all pre-Columbian monumental and architectural sculpture, murals
and certain archaeological and ethnological materials are required
to provide proof to the U.S. Customs Service that these artifacts
are legally exported from the country of origin. Beware of purchasing
artifacts unless they are accompanied by an export permit issued
by the government of origin.
DUAL NATIONALITY
Some countries in Central and South America do not recognize
acquisition of U.S. citizenship unless the naturalized U.S. citizen
renounces his or her original nationality at an embassy or consulate
of the country of origin. A person born in the United States of
a parent or parents who were citizens of another country may also
be considered by that country to be their national. If arrested,
a dual national may be denied the right to communicate with the
U.S. embassy or consulate. Dual nationals may also be forced to
serve in the military of their former country, or they may not
be allowed to depart the country when their visit is over.
If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, a dual national or have
any reason to believe another country may consider you its national,
check with the embassy of that country as to your citizenship
status and any obligations you may have while visiting. When you
research your citizenship status, bear in mind the purpose of
your planned trip can affect your status. Your acquired U.S. citizenship
may be recognized by your former country if you only visit there.
If, however, you take up residence, the country may consider you
as having resumed your former nationality. This can happen even
if the embassy of the country has stamped a visa in your U.S.
passport.
Dual nationals should also be aware that they may be required
to use a passport from their country of origin to enter or leave
that country. The U.S. Government does not object to the use of
a foreign passport in such situations. U.S. citizens may not,
however, use a foreign passport to enter or leave the United States
and must travel on their U.S. passports.
If you have any questions about dual nationality, contact the
Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4811, Department of
State, Washington, D.C. 20520, telephone (202) 647-5225.
ADOPTING A CHILD ABROAD
While most foreign adoptions are processed without significant
difficulty, in some instances and in some countries U.S. citizens
have experienced problems when attempting to adopt children from
some Central or South American countries. Several countries in
the region have either outlawed adoptions by foreigners or passed
a law requiring formal court adoption of the child in the country
before the child is permitted to emigrate to the U.S. These changes
have lessened the potential for legal challenges to the adoption,
but have not necessarily streamlined the procedures for U.S. citizens.
Any citizen interested in adopting a child from a country in
Central or South America is encouraged to contact either the U.S.
embassy in the country, or, in the United States, the Department
of State's Office of Children's Issues (telephone 202-736-7000)
to obtain information on the adoption process in that country.
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