DUAL-NATIONALITY LAW DRAWS CROWD TO DOWNTOWN CONSULATE.Byline: Daily News Taking advantage of a Mexican law that went into effect Friday, more than 100 Mexican-born Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. residents showed up at the Mexican Consulate Consulate, 1799–1804, in French history, form of government established after the coup of 18 Brumaire (Nov. 9–10, 1799), which ended the Directory. near downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or to apply for dual nationality An equal claim, simultaneously possessed by two nations, to the allegiance of an individual. This term is frequently perceived as synonymous with dual citizenship, but the latter term encompasses the concept of state and federal citizenship enjoyed by persons who are born or . Under the Nationality Act, Mexican-born residents living in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and their offspring can simultaneously hold Mexican nationality and U.S. citizenship. Previously, when Mexican-born individuals became citizens of another country, they were stripped of Mexican nationality. The new law allows Mexican nationals to own property in Mexico and lifts investment restrictions on foreigners. The law does not grant Mexican citizenship and thus Mexican nationals living abroad cannot vote, hold most public offices, serve in Mexico's armed forces or work on Mexico-flagged ships or airlines. Los Angeles resident Cesar Avina, 71, was among those who went to the consulate Friday. He immigrated to the United States in 1957 and became a U.S. citizen 10 years ago. He said he wants to have dual nationality because he has property in Guadalajara he wants to own and retire on. Avina and others gathered at the consulate said Mexico does not enforce current laws against U.S. citizens owning property there, but that it will be good to legalize le·gal·ize tr.v. le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing, le·gal·iz·es To make legal or lawful; authorize or sanction by law. le such arrangements. ``Maybe someday I'll go and stay in Mexico,'' Avina said. ``Here I will always rent, but in Mexico I could afford to buy a home.'' To apply for dual nationality: Call (213) 351-6840 or visit the Mexican Consulate offices, 2401 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring several types of identification, including a Mexican birth certificate, naturalization naturalization, official act by which a person is made a national of a country other than his or her native one. In some countries naturalized persons do not necessarily become citizens but may merely acquire a new nationality. document if you are a U.S. citizen, and additional picture identification such as a drivers license or a passport. Children of a Mexican-born father or mother can also apply for dual nationality with a certified birth certificate, their parent's birth certificate and picture ID. The application process costs $12. --- Staff Writers Yvette Cabrera, Lee Condon and Jenifer Hanrahan contributed to this report. |
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