[[Chicago Sun-Times]]/[[January 17, 2003]]/[[Lucio Guerrero]]/ link

Mexican immigrants who became American citizens in the mid-1990s are in a race to get their Mexican nationality back, while also remaining American citizens.

Millions of Mexican Americans in Chicago and across the country are trying to beat a 1998 Mexican government mandate that gave immigrants five years to regain their Mexican nationality that they lost when they became American citizens. The law expires in March.

... "It's important for people to reclaim their nationality, or else they will be treated as a foreigner if they go back to Mexico," said Jorge Mujica, secretary of the [[International Coalition of Mexicans Abroad]], which also wants immigrants to have more of a voice in Mexican politics.

Mujica's group, based in Chicago, has been holding weekend workshops to help immigrants file the necessary paperwork and file the $16 government fee.

Along with immigrants who have become citizens, Mujica said they are also signing up the U.S.-born children of Mexican immigrants-- regardless of legal status--to take part in the dual-citizenship drive.

Former state Sen. [[Jesus Garcia]] will be going through the process on Sunday with his 20-year-old and 19-year-old sons. Garcia, a U.S. citizen for more than 20 years who heads the [[Little Village Community Development Corp]]. on the Near West Side, said he sees dual citizenship as a way to hold on to both cultures.