Mexican Citizenship
As in most other Central and South American countries, Mexican law differentiates between nationality and citizenship. Nationality is the attribute of the person in international law that describes their relationship to the State, whereas citizenship is given to those nationals (those who hold Mexican nationality) that have certain rights and responsibilities before the State. The 34th article of the Mexican constitution establishes that Mexican citizens are those Mexican who are 18 years of age or older, and who have an "honest way of living". Mexican citizens have these rights:
- vote in all elections;
- be elected in all elections;
- gather or associate freely to participate in the political affairs of the nation;
- enlist in the Mexican Army or the Mexican National Guard to defend the Republic and its institutions, and
- exercise the right of petition.
Mexican law also distinguishes between naturalized citizens and natural-born citizens in many ways. Under the Mexican constitution, naturalized citizens are prohibited from serving in a wide array of positions, mostly governmental. Naturalized Mexicans cannot occupy any of following posts:
- The Mexican military during peacetime
- Policeman
- Captain, pilot, or crew member on any Mexican-flagged vessel or aircraft
- President of Mexico
- Member of the Congress of Mexico
- Member of the Supreme Court of Mexico
- Governor of a Mexican state
- Mayor or member of the legislature of Mexico City
Read more about this topic: Mexican Nationality Law
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