The empire lectures, but Hungary resists

Ukraine does not recognize the dual citizenship of Hungarian nationals.

20230715 Budapest 28. Budapest Pride fotó: Teknős Miklós (TEK) Magyar Nemzet képen: David Pressman budapesti amerikai nagykövet Fotó: Teknős Miklós

Progressive political activist David Pressman - who, in his second job, serves as US ambassador to Budapest - dropped an extremely cynical remarks a few months ago, when he said the US was ready to deal with the issue of Hungarians in Transcarpathia if it's a serious issue. We can see how important the rights of national minorities are to the current US administration, as opposed to the rights of sexual minorities: not at all. In fact, Hungary is now even being punished for granting citizenship to its ethnic Hungarians who ended up on the other side of the state border through no fault of their own. The US is demanding the details of dual citizens who have suffered for a century under the oppressive policies of majority nationalism. It is shameful how the leftist-liberal administration in the US is refusing to see what's happening in Transcarpathia, punishing Hungary for defending the rights of the Hungarian minority.

In addition, the travel restrictions apply not only to documents issued between 2011 and 2020, but to all Hungarians.

Citing public security risks posed by dual citizens in the US is infuriating. Anyone who has been to the United States has experienced the high level of security at the airports, the thorough screening and the fact that only those who have undergone multiple checks are allowed to enter the country. In fact, ESTA data sheets include questions about basically everything except for the applicant's foot size, so the chances of armies of seasoned criminals invading the United States with Hungarian passports are minimal.

It is especially true in light of the fact that the acquisition of dual citizenship also requires a clean criminal record and proof that the naturalization of the applicant will not present a threat to Hungary's public safety and national security. Moreover, the Orban government has responded to all specific requests from US law enforcement agencies and has taken the necessary criminal measures against those who have broken the law in any way, depriving them of their Hungarian citizenship.

While entry at US airports is rightly strict, the seven million (!) illegal migrants have been allowed to enter the United States freely through the southern border in recent years. Strangely, the Biden administration thinks that they pose no national security or public safety risk the the US.

The governor of Texas sees the situation differently. A few months ago, he ordered a special unit of the National Guard to protect the border directly, in response to the drastic increase in the number of migrants.

It is no exaggeration to say that illegal migration is turning the United States upside down, as criminal gangs from Central and South America are now able to operate almost unhindered throughout the region. Organized crime and the relentless drug trade are also causing huge problems in the US, which is already struggling with social tensions.

While the previous, right-wing Trump administration tried to stop the flood of migrants by all legal means and by building walls, the current left-wing administration is lenient towards the tens of thousands of migrants arriving every day. Their arrival is causing an increasing number of problems in everyday life. So this is how the progressive, open society works in America and in equally troubled France and Germany. Hungary rejects this, nor does it share the pro-war position.

This is why the leftist US administration has repeatedly signaled to Hungary's sovereign, national-minded government that its failure to accept Washington's current geopolitical goals and social policies will cause further complications in the two countries' bilateral relations via various administrative means. Let's hope that this will only be possible until next November, and that a new Republican president will reverse the totally unnecessary decisions of the current administration regarding Hungary, in a spirit of normalcy. This is in the interests of both Americans and Hungarians.

The author is a senior analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights

Cover photo: The diplomatic activities of US Ambassador David Pressman in Budapest are more than a matter of concern (Photo: Miklos Teknos)