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Newsweek (August 8, 2020)

Over 5,800 Americans Gave Up Citizenship In First Half of 2020, Double The Numbers Through All Of 2019

"Marylouise Serrato, executive director for American Citizens Abroad, wrote in an email to Newsweek that Bambridge's renunciation numbers for the first six months of 2020 'probably indicate a backlog from renunciations that were in process in the later part of 2019.'

There is a significant time requirement for anyone wanting to renounce their citizenship, which would have been further exacerbated by the pandemic, she said.

With many Embassies and Consulates shuttered due to COVID beginning in mid-March and still continuing (many are still closed), it would not have been possible to process renunciations these past months nor for individuals suffering under COVID restrictions to get to an Embassy or Consulate to begin the process even if they were open,' Serrato said.

There are approximately 9 million U.S. expats, meaning Americans living abroad. Those choosing to keep their citizenship but continue living and working overseas are still able to receive federal benefits, including the $1,200 stimulus checks sent by the U.S. Treasury in April meant to help eligible Americans ease the financial burden caused by the pandemic."

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