Expert: MRZ - 4/15/2009

Question
Hello,

I am a US Air Force Seargent at Luke Air Force Base and I am in the process of obtaining Security Clearance.I was born in Colombia and became US Citizen in 2004. In the past, I have traveled to Colombia with both US Passport and Colombian passport because in Colombia they required me to. However Security personnel from my investigation are demanding that I surrender my Colombian Passport in order to get security Clearance... Can I still travel to Colombia with just my American Passport??

Please help, I don't know what to do

Karol Gaona

Answer
Hi Karol,
This is tricky. You not only have to renounce your passport, but your Colombian citizenship. The Colombian constitution mandates that anyone born in Colombia must identify as Colombian while in Colombian territory. However we have had clients in your same position and what our lawyers did was create a document for them, which was notarized, stating that the Colombian citizenship was renounced as a requirement of employment.
If you have any other questions, or if you need help in the process with the consulate, we will be happy to assist, email us directly at info@colombianpossibilities.com
Thanks
Marta