An American family from Ohio have taken the drastic step of leaving the country and are now renouncing their US citizenship.
Jennifer Doxey along with her husband Joe and their family have moved to Canada.
But they claim they are not renouncing their citizenship just as an act of defiance. In their view, it’s a necessary step toward true belonging in the country they now call home.
‘I’m just so embarrassed by what my country has become,’ Doxey in an interview with CTV.
{snip}
Doxey’s journey north began in 2003 when she met her husband, a dual citizen of the US and Canada.
Five years later, they took the leap and settled in British Columbia in western Canada, determined to build a future for their children away from the instability they had witnessed in the American Midwest.
‘Living in the States is nothing like what we see portrayed in television shows,’ she explained.
‘Living in an industrial part of the Midwestern US, you know, I watched all my friends’ parents lose their good jobs at factories and car manufacturing facilities.’
{snip}
‘When we decided to move to Canada, one family member told me to ‘enjoy your life in a communist country,’ she recalled with a wry chuckle.
But despite such remarks, she has no regrets about the move.
‘It’s been wonderful. In fact, I think one of the things I’ll tell people when they ask why I’m here is I literally came to Canada looking for the American dream.’
For years, Doxey and her family quietly maintained their dual status, enjoying life in Canada but retaining their American citizenship. Then came Donald Trump’s re-election.
{snip}
‘To hear Donald Trump come on television and say he wants Canada to be the 51st state, it infuriated me. It absolutely infuriated me,’ Doxey said, still visibly frustrated at the memory.
It was then that the family made the difficult decision to pursue renouncing their American citizenship altogether.
‘We feel Canadian in every respect, but every last one of us is chained to the United States and we don’t want to be,’ Doxey declared.
But leaving behind U.S. citizenship is not a simple or inexpensive endeavor. The process is long, complex, and financially burdensome.
‘The US is charging US$2,350 for individuals who are renouncing citizenship, which is quite high compared to other countries,’ said Douglas Cowgill, an immigration lawyer who has seen a surge in Americans seeking to renounce their citizenship since Trump’s return.
{snip}
‘Making sure you are fully confident in what you want to do is very important before you proceed to exit the U.S.,’ he cautioned.
‘It’s a major life decision and it’s not something that should be taken lightly.’ And once the decision is made, there is no turning back.
For Doxey and her family, the choice is already set in stone. They are ready to sever their final ties to the US, despite the emotional and financial costs.
{snip}
Doxey’s story is not unique. Immigration lawyers across Canada are reporting a 50 percent increase in Americans seeking to renounce their US citizenship.
Many are citing similar frustrations – political disillusionment, economic concerns, and the desire for a fresh start in a country they believe better aligns with their values.
* Original Article:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14448987/amp/family-renouncing-citizenship-donald-trump-jennifer-doxey.html?ito=smartnews