Thomas T. Oommen's call for dual citizenship gains support from diaspora organizations (R. Jayachandran)

New York: People from India's neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have dual citizenship in the US subject to a few restrictions. But Indian Americas are still grappling with Overseas Citizenship Cards (OCI), which treats them as foreigners with limited rights.

In this situation, Thomas T. Oommen, a long time community activist and a leader of the Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas (Fomaa), has demanded that those with OCI Card for five years should get dual citizenship . For this, he has submitted several petitions to the central government. Oomen said that he is very happy to note that other organizations too are also supporting this demand.

The central government has been studying about giving dual citizenship to expatriates for ages. Recently, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has shown some sympathy for this issue. It gives hope to all expatriates.

Although this is a matter that requires a constitutional amendment, the expatriate community believes that it will not be difficult to get approval for this. The government has often opposed this demand by citing threats to national security. But Oommen sees a change of heart among the leaders and believe the statement of Jaishankar gives hope to all non-resident organizations.

Dual citizenship has been a long-standing issue for Oommen, who has been serving the American Indian community for more than forty years. In an interview given to a Hindi channel last week, he reiterated the demand that the central government should start the process of giving dual citizenship to those who have OCI card for five years. This demand is gaining momentum with many Indian organizations willingly supporting this demand.

He noted that it was natural for immigrants in the United States to accept American citizenship for their survival. Oommen is among those who started a discussion about this years ago. Several representations made to the Indian External Affairs Department did not yield any significant results. But the government allowed POI cards and then OCI cards.

Now dual citizenship has come up for public discussion. He is now putting forward a practical proposal to give dual citizenship to those who have OCI card for five years.

Oommen is contesting as president of Fomaa, putting forward many projects that he plans to take up if he is elected at the convention scheduled for August. He requested the support of Fomaa workers and American Malayalees.

He leads a team for the election with Samuel Matthai (General Secretary), Binub Sreedharan (Treasurer), Sunny Kalloopara (Vice President), Dr. Prince Nechikkad (Jo. Secretary), and Ambili Sajimon (Joe Treasurer)