Congratulations to the Maltese-Australian community on their recent achievement whereby the Australian government has given them the right to re-apply for their renounced Australian citizenship.

Unfortunately, I cannot express the same feeling of elation with respect to American-born individuals, who, like myself, had to renounce their birth right on returning to Malta. Until the year 2000 dual nationality was not recognised in Malta and, like my Australian counterparts, I was coerced to relinquish my US citizenship by my 19th birthday.

Section 349(a) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act details the voluntary methods to relinquishing one's citizenship but how can we speak of voluntary renouncement when those who did not renounce their US citizenship were faced with termination of employment and not being entitled to health services and basic amenities granted to other people living in Malta? Had legislation been different or had other alternatives been available at the time, I would have never renounced my US citizenship.

Following the Australian government's courageous step forward, I appeal to the US government and to other governments to follow in Australia's footsteps and provide a lawful redress to individuals who had to renounce their citizenship because of the reasons mentioned above.

I also appeal for help to this cause from the Maltese authorities and from the newly-appointed Maltese Ambassador to the US, Mark Miceli Farrugia, whom I congratulate for his appointment to such a prestigious office.