Today, as political division and strife continue to increase in the United States, Americans are reconsidering their citizenship and obtaining or looking for new dual citizenships. This trend reflects a growing desire among individuals to connect with their cultural roots while ensuring a safety net in uncertain times. Now, Rose Freymuth‐Frazier, Daniel Kamalić, and Mariam Diop are all taking that route. Behind the surface, each of them has a different family story that fuels their desire to get citizenship elsewhere.
Freymuth-Frazier, a 47-year-old house painter and artist, recently received his German citizenship. She did this through her Jewish great-grandmother, Barbara, who escaped Germany in the 1930s as the Nazis started to come into power. Barbara fled first to Switzerland. Afterward, she moved to the Dominican Republic and then to the United States in 1940. Her story was a perfect fit for Freymuth-Frazier’s mission to reconnect audiences with her frontier heritage.
Kamalić’s journey is a window into this rising trend, too. During a trip to Croatia in 1998, he visited his homeland and met relatives that welcomed him to explore his artistic pursuits. His father, Ivan, had immigrated to the United States, but never spoke of his native land. When asked about his reasons for leaving Croatia, Ivan humorously remarked that he came for “french fries, blue jeans and rock‘n’roll.” Kamalić’s outlook changed through his experiences on the trip, inspiring him to pursue Croatian citizenship.
Diop’s story turns this narrative on its head, adding one more important layer. Born into an American family living in the Washington D.C. area, she has repeatedly fielded questions about relocating to West Africa. With this Ivy League humanities degree, Diop has a unique, sophisticated understanding of privilege and societal structures here in the U.S. Her motivations speak to a larger vision that encompasses much more than the pursuit of American citizenship.
The Search for Heritage
Artist Rose Freymuth-Frazier’s long odyssey to obtaining German citizenship began with her family history. She’s always had a deep personal connection to her great-grandmother’s journey and wanted to preserve that legacy. Getting a German passport for her was more than the physical act of filling out forms and receiving a document. It was an opportunity to reconnect with her ancestry.
I’ve had this feeling since 7 October. I live in New York, close to Columbia University, and actually right under our windows, we hear the anti-Israel chant. It’s unsettling,” Freymuth-Frazier said, underscoring the sense of disquiet some Americans have about today’s political landscape.
At only 16 years of age, Kyla Shannon secured a German passport due to her Jewish great-grandmother. Her aunt, Rose Freymuth-Frazier, was instrumental in making that happen for her. For Shannon, dual citizenship means more than just legal status. It means acceptance and belonging in another country.
“But I think this can also be about our future and not just about our past,” – Kyla Shannon
It’s no surprise then that a growing number of younger Americans are jumping on the dual citizenship bandwagon. They want the freedom and cultural ties that span beyond U.S. borders. A recent survey found that 66% of U.S. Gen Z and millennials are considering obtaining dual citizenship. They view it as a means to realize broader travel opportunities, deeper cultural connections, and greater economic impacts.
Political Climate Fuels Interest
With all of the continuing political turmoil in the United States, it has many Americans wondering what’s next. Because of this, they’re seeking out different options for residency. Peter Spiro, a law professor specializing in citizenship issues, notes that recent events have made the idea of dual citizenship more appealing for Americans.
“The political instability in the US in recent years, along with Covid, has brought home to people that there might actually be a reason to live someplace else,” Spiro stated. He’s confident that a lot of Americans are starting to appreciate the “insurance value” of maintaining a second citizenship.
Daniel Kamalić of the City of Minneapolis wraps his head around what might be coming down the pike. He is concerned about the lack of an “evacuation path.” It’s similar to what his father had to do escaping political persecution in Yugoslavia.
“I want to get my Croatian citizenship so I can travel and work in Europe without restrictions. And if worst comes to worst, I want that escape route,” – Daniel Kamalić
Hollis Rutledge is a former high school teacher with a strong interest in the current loss of rights in America. Especially the struggles of women and the LGBTQ+ communities. Like many parents, Rutledge’s wish for a stable future for her children fuels her search for citizenship pathways.
“I want my children to have the freedoms and opportunities that I feel should be afforded to them, and the US just doesn’t quite fit the bill as much as it used to,” Rutledge explained.
Reflection on Identity
Mariam Diop, pictured above, speaks to the grief she feels about where her country is headed. Her story resonates with a national cynicism towards the American dream that so many across the country fear is growing more distant every day.
“I feel sadness and grief at the direction of the country,” Diop stated, emphasizing her internal conflict regarding identity and belonging.
Diop’s mother’s words resonate deeply: “The work and sacrifices I made were for you to have choices in life.” This common feeling speaks to the intergenerational immigrant family pressures and stresses of building an aspirational future.
Freymuth-Frazier, Kamalić, Shannon and Diop are just a few of this new wave of Americans. In short, they seek security and identity by looking beyond their borders. Securing dual citizenship brings them closer to their roots. It gives climate action a fallback against the tumultuous political tides.