Laureana Organ considers herself lucky twice over.

She became a citizen of the United States in 1997, five years after she came here. And her native homeland, the Dominican Republic, is one of the scores of nations around the world that permits its expatriates to retain their citizenship, even if they acquire that of another country.

"I'm part of both countries and I defend both," said Organ, of Montvale. "It's all connected in my world. It's like my mother and my grandmother, I can love both, care about both and be there for both."

But dual citizenship has its critics, who instead of viewing it as an embrace of two countries, argue that it is really a division of loyalties.

"If you become a citizen of the United States, you should be an American, and not hyphenated," said Edward Durfee, a Northvale resident and member of United Patriots of America, a New Jersey-based group that favors strict immigration policies.

He recalls how his maternal grandparents, who emigrated from Switzerland, cherished their native traditions, and how Swiss bread and cheese were staples at his grandmother's house.

"But they weren't Swiss before they were American, and I never heard them say 'I'm Swiss-American,' " Durfee said. "They said they were American. It's fine to hold onto your heritage, but not citizenship."

Steve Chung, a Tenafly resident and native of South Korea, which does not allow dual citizenship, became a U.S. citizen about two years ago.

"We have to choose," he said. "It's tough to pick sides. And I wonder, what if Korea and the United States fight? I don't think I could pick sides. It's like your mother and father fighting."

Aref Assaf, who was born in Jordan and raised on the West Bank, strongly objects to the argument that dual citizenship begets divided loyalties.

"Having dual citizenship gives you an added prism through which you are able to see and appreciate the concerns and aspirations of people in other countries," said Assaf, a Denville resident who is active in Middle Eastern affairs. "And I'm American by choice, not because I was born here."

— Elizabeth Llorente