Paper short abstract:

In this paper I focus on issues of multiple nationality and overseas citizenship among the descendants of Lebanese immigrants to Argentina. It covers from processes of integration to campaigns carried out by the Maronite to encourage descendents to reclaim their Lebanese citizenship.

Paper long abstract:

This paper is based on fieldwork in Argentina among the descendants of immigrants coming at the beginning of the xx century from the Levant. In this paper I focus on issues of multiple nationality and overseas citizenship among the descendants of Lebanese immigrants to Argentina from the early xx century. It covers from processes of integration to campaigns carried out by the Maronite to encourage descendents to reclaim their Lebanese citizenship. Through this paper I show the multiple and contrasting motivations of the would be citizens, with those of the Maronite Church on behalf of the Lebanese state. I show that while for the former, acquiring citizenship is seen as an expression of emotional attachment, filial duty, and nationalism rather than a pragmatic act towards securing inheritance or future migration and settlement. Meanwhile for the latter, it is a matter of influencing Lebanese demographics in view of a future census that might change the confessional division of power.