Legal Definitions - acquired allegiance

Definition: Acquired allegiance refers to the allegiance owed by a naturalized citizen to their adopted country.

Allegiance is the obligation of a citizen to be loyal and obedient to their government or sovereign in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by the state. This allegiance can be either absolute and permanent or qualified and temporary.

For example, when a person becomes a naturalized citizen of a country, they acquire allegiance to that country. This means that they are obligated to be loyal and obedient to the government of that country in exchange for the benefits of citizenship, such as the right to vote and the protection of the law.

Another example of allegiance is actual allegiance, which is the obedience owed by a person who resides temporarily in a foreign country to that country's government. However, foreign sovereigns, their representatives, and military personnel are typically excepted from this requirement.

Overall, acquired allegiance is an important concept in understanding the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship. It highlights the importance of loyalty and obedience to one's adopted country in exchange for the benefits and protections provided by the state.