The U.S. citizenship renunciation scam

State Department slashes fee for renouncing U.S. citizenship by 80% to $450

After years of legal battles with several groups representing Americans wanting to give up their citizenship, the department on Friday published a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the cost from $2,350 to $450.

PBS NewsMatthew Lee, Associated Press

Renunciation of U.S. citizenship is based on made-up rules which are not compliant with law or Constitution. Citizenship in the United States is permanent and irrevocable, as it entails certain privileges, immunities and rights which cannot be abridged or denied.

Such "renunciation" does not have the effect of terminating a person's citizenship or subjection to jurisdiction of the U.S., but rather places the person in a derogatory "ex-pat" category like a convicted felon or dishonorable discharge from the military. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution defines citizenship in the United States and categorically refutes any renunciation of it.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The levying of income taxes by the Internal Revenue Service on monies earned and spent by U.S. citizens entirely outside its jurisdiction is another matter entirely, and that is not resolved by a formal renunciation either.

A "renunciation" of citizenship is a formal statement made by a person renouncing or denying allegiance which may or may not have any legal effect and certainly does not involve the payment of fees or bribes.