Finding and publicizing opportunities for investing, living, and doing business outside the United States is the raison d'etre of The Sovereign Society.
But the number of U.S. persons looking for opportunities outside the United States pales in comparison to the number of non-U.S. persons looking for opportunities in the United States.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in the staggering number of immigrants illegally living in the United States—somewhere between 12 million and 20 million persons, depending on whose statistics you believe.
An ongoing crackdown against illegal immigrants has led to a number of "creative" solutions purported to allow these individuals to legally remain in the United States. Among the most "creative" are offers from two Native American tribes offering tribal membership to anyone for prices starting at US$50. Become a member of the tribe, so goes the pitch, and you can stay in the United States as long as you want, regardless of your immigration status.
The pitch is pure hokum. Immigration authorities insist becoming a tribe member gives no protection against being deported. Even if it did, neither the U.S. government nor the National Congress of American Indians officially recognizes the tribes offering membership.
But that hasn't stopped thousands of illegal immigrants from snapping up tribal membership, and subsequently trying to achieve legal immigration status. Two Mexicans have already been indicted for allegedly trying to get U.S. passports and Social Security cards by claiming to be mail order native Americans.
While almost every country in the world welcomes qualified immigrants, applicants must go through an extensive legal process to determine their eligibility for residence status. Immigrants who are healthy, wealthy, and highly educated are most welcome, particularly if they don't need to work in their adopted country.
A handful of countries even offer citizenship and passport to qualified individuals who are willing to make substantial investments. The Commonwealth of Dominica and the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis are the two best-known programs. Austria has an economic citizenship program as well, but it much more expensive than the programs in Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis. The Austrian program is also politically controversial and it's increasingly difficult to obtain citizenship under this option.
Finally, despite claims on the Internet to the contrary, no country offers legal status by mail, with no due diligence necessary. You should assume that all such offers are fraudulent, as they are in virtually every case.
The Nestmann Group, Ltd. can provide assistance to qualified individuals seeking second citizenship and alternative residence. Please contact us for more information at assetpro@nestmann.com.
Copyright © 2007 by Mark Nestmann
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