The Mexican government is considering easing restrictions on retaining property rights that have deterred many Mexican nationals from pursuing citizenship in the United States. Under current Mexican law, Mexican nationals who naturalize and become US citizens are deemed to have given up their Mexican citizenship and risk the loss of inheritance and property rights. Under a proposal supported by Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and supported by opposition parties, Mexican nationals would remain Mexican citizens even if they acquire citizenship in another country. The move is said to be motivated by Mexico’s desire for Mexicans in the US to become a more powerful voting bloc in border states. The threat of the loss of Mexican citizenship is considered to be a chief factor explaining why millions of Mexican nationals who are US permanent residents have not become US citizens.
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