If someone was born and raised in Poland, for example, then went to the United States and lived there, they would be considered Polish American.
My story, however, is a bit more complicated. I was born in Chile and stayed there with my family until I moved out as a child. Then, I lived in Brazil until I was 13 and moved to the United States. When I was 17, my family and I moved to France. Am I just Chilean-French or something? Chilean?
BambiDiego@lemmy.world 53 minutes ago
Honestly, in legal paperwork, consult the laws.
In everyday conversation, it’s what you feel.
I was born in South America, moved to the US when I was a child. I’m an adult now, my main language is English, I think in English, I grew up here, I have a life here.
If someone asked “what” I am, I say “I’m american, but I was born in South America.” It can be either a fun conversation, or a filter for judgy people I don’t want around me.
If I moved to Germany, I would still say I’m an American, because it’s the culture I know, the place I grew up, the identity I choose.
I don’t deny my heritage, I still enjoy Salteñas once a month with my family, I speak Spanish to my son to make sure he doesn’t forget it, I look Hispanic, I still have fond memories of being a child in another country, but I never say I’m “Bolivian-American,” because by circumstances of life I just have more identity of my life, here.