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The Association of Americans Resident Overseas[modifier | modifier le code]
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The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) is a global, non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer based organization representing the interests of U.S. citizens living abroad with members from over 40 countries.
AARO educates Congress[3], the media, and the public on topics such as taxation, absentee voting, citizenship, representation, Social Security, and Medicare. It also offers members access to reasonably priced health insurance.[4]
Through international outreach, AARO gives a voice to Americans living abroad, often serves as an unofficial ambassadors of their country. It provides updates on key issues, alerts for action, and access to a network of experts.
Notably, AARO is cited multiple times as a reference regarding US citizens living abroad.[5][6][7][8]
History[modifier | modifier le code]
Early Days[modifier | modifier le code]
In the early 1970s, Americans abroad were faced with numerous obstacles to the full exercise of their rights as citizens.
- Archaic voting laws made voting by absentee ballot almost or totally impossible.
- Children born abroad to an American parent were denied U.S. citizenship because of unmet residency requirements.
- Young adults lost their U.S. citizenship because of similar residency requirements.
- Americans who acquired another nationality were stripped of their U.S. citizenship.
- U.S. embassies would not hire local Americans.
Faced with these inequities, a small group of dedicated Americans founded AARO, amongst whom were Jean Archbold, Sonja Mincbere, Helen Raoul Duval, Randolph A. Kidder, Vivienne Fortier and Phyllis Michaux. Despite the Association existing de facto and being advertised in the International Herald Tribune on June 24th of 1973[1] it was officialy created as a 1901 french association on Janurary 17th of 1974[9].
Phyllis Michaux[10][modifier | modifier le code]
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Phyllis Michaux married a French citizen after World War II. Concerned about American citizenship laws for children born overseas to dual-national couples, she co-founded the Association of American Wives of Europeans (AAWE) and the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO). Her pioneering efforts helped secure citizenship rights for Americans abroad and their children, as well as their rights to vote in federal elections, and to receive Medicare, Social Security benefits, and equitable tax treatment.[11]
In 1996, Michaux was awarded the Eugene Abrams Senior Citizenship Award by American Citizens Abroad, the same year her book, "The Unknown Ambassadors: A Saga of Citizenship,"[12] was published, detailing her work for Americans living abroad. She received AARO's first Outstanding Service Award in 2010. Phyllis Michaux passed away in Deauville on June 29, 2015.
Part of her advocacy work included her prominent role in the "Teabag Campaign of 1975."
The Teabag Campaign of 1975 for Passage of the Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Rights[13][modifier | modifier le code]
In 1973, the Bipartisan Committee on Absentee Voting, founded in Paris by American expatriates, introduced a bill in Congress through Senator Charles McCurdy Mathias, Jr. (R-MD). The bill aimed to eliminate domicile and residence requirements for absentee voting in federal elections.
At that time, local, county, and state officials determined absentee voter registration procedures. For instance, New York required state income tax payment before issuing an absentee ballot, regardless of previous residency.
By September 1975, the bill was still navigating the legislative process without a vote. Several former ambassadors testified in support, but the Justice Department, concerned about voter fraud, opposed it. Antonin Scalia, legal counsel to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General, argued against allowing votes from those potentially disconnected from their domicile state.
The American Chamber of Commerce in France and the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) coordinated a grassroots letter-writing campaign to support the bill. Despite initial challenges, including unfamiliarity with the voting process and legislative details, the campaign gained momentum. A simple, direct strategy emerged, urging participants to mail letters with tea bags to Congress, symbolizing the Boston Tea Party.
By December 1975, the Reconciliation Bill passed the House 374 to 43, with unprecedented support. Despite continued opposition from the Justice Department, Senator Barry Goldwater intervened, emphasizing the political importance of overseas Republicans. President Gerald Ford signed the bill on January 2, 1976, marking a significant milestone in absentee voting rights for Americans abroad.
Dear 535 Campaign[14][modifier | modifier le code]
Fast forward to late 2020, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) and Stop Extraterritorial American Taxation (SEAT) conducted surveys, gathering thousands of detailed responses from expatriate Americans about their challenges.
AARO's survey covered issues such as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), banking, taxation, Social Security, Medicare, voting, and citizenship renunciation. More than 30% of AARO members and over 100 non-members, representing 41 states and living on every continent, participated. The results were detailed in a series of eleven articles by AARO President Doris L. Speer, addressing seven major topics.
SEAT's survey, which included 1,564 participants from all U.S. states and 68 countries, focused on the effects of U.S. taxation and banking policies on expatriates. The extensive report and participant comments are available on SEAT’s website.
In 2022, AARO member Eric Fenster proposed sharing these testimonials with Congress. AARO and SEAT compiled comments from their surveys and sent them to each Senator and Representative, highlighting the difficulties faced by expatriates. The comments addressed issues such as investment barriers, financial account access, FATCA and FBAR compliance, citizenship-based taxation, IRS interactions, lack of citizen services, and the emotional toll on expatriates.
From September 2022 to April 2023, AARO prepared individualized letters for each member of Congress, emphasizing the need for legal reforms to support ordinary lives for overseas Americans. These efforts culminated in the Dear 535 Campaign, where 535 packages were mailed to Congress in April 2023, ahead of AARO’s annual Overseas Americans Week (OAW). During OAW, AARO and the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) advocated for changes in laws and regulations affecting expatriates.
Whether in 1975 or 2022, AARO has consistently engaged in advocacy work.
Advocacy[modifier | modifier le code]
According to its statutes[15], AARO’s prime mission is advocacy:
"Article 2 — Purpose
AARO’s purpose is to create and maintain ties among American citizens located in, and/or residents of countries other than, the United States, with no regard for their political preferences or party affiliations, in order to:
- a) Unite overseas Americans’ efforts to promote, assert, obtain and safeguard their social, civil and fiscal rights under U.S. law;
- b) Undertake any actions, through all legal means, regarding the recognition of those rights of which they may find themselves deprived due to their absence from the United States;
- c) Help Americans resident abroad; and
- d) Educate and inform (i) overseas Americans of their rights and responsibilities as American citizens and (ii) the American Federal and state governments about the issues affecting Americans overseas and the inequities regarding their fiscal and civil rights.
The Association’s means of action are:
- a) Advocating before Congress and the Administration about issues affecting Americans abroad;
- b) Holding seminars, conferences and other events;
- c) Conducting research and publication of documents and news;
- d) Collaborating with and/or having membership in other organizations with similar purposes;
- e) Undertaking all means of action that the Board of Directors should deem useful to the Association’s purposes."
AARO policy is discussed and voted on by the Board of Directors at their monthly meetings, with regular consultation of the full membership on important issues.
The association’s initial campaign focused on securing voting rights for the overseas community. Since then, it has taken on various challenges with determination, achieving several successes. Advocacy efforts have often included trips to Washington to represent the interests of Americans living and working abroad.
Since 2002, AARO has organized and participated in the annual “Overseas Americans Week” (OAW), during which representatives engage with legislators and policy-makers on issues affecting the overseas community.
Overseas Americans Week (OAW)[modifier | modifier le code]
Overseas Americans Week (OAW) serves as the focal point for AARO’s year-long advocacy efforts. This annual five-day “door-knock” campaign in Washington D.C. brings issues directly to Congressional lawmakers, government agencies, researchers, think tanks, and other associations. In recent years, AARO has been joined by the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO).
AARO’s advocacy history in Washington D.C. includes efforts to secure voting rights for Americans overseas, ensure the transmission of permanent citizenship to children born to overseas Americans, establish bilateral Social Security totalization agreements for retirement benefits, defend against legislative attacks on the Section 911 Foreign-Earned Income Exclusion, and eliminate citizenship-based taxation.
AARO's Achievements[modifier | modifier le code]
AARO has significantly contributed to enabling overseas Americans to exercise their right to vote and improving citizenship rights for children and grandchildren born overseas to Americans.
Efforts have focused on changing laws and policies to ensure that Americans abroad receive the same benefits and protections as citizens in the US. In collaboration with other international groups, campaigns have vigorously supported the following:
Voting Rights: Streamlining the registration and voting process led to the landmark Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Rights Act of 1976 and the 2002 Voting Reform Bill, which improved absentee voting procedures for Americans abroad.
Citizenship Rights for Children: Advocacy led to the abolition of the 1978 law requiring children born abroad to a US citizen married to a non-American to reside in the US to retain their citizenship. In 1986, the residence period required to transmit citizenship to children born abroad to one American parent was reduced from ten years to five, with two years after age 14. A facilitated naturalization procedure was obtained in 1995 for children whose US parent could not fulfill the physical presence requirement, provided a US-citizen grandparent could satisfy this requirement.
Equitable Tax Treatment: Unlike most industrialized countries, the US taxes its citizens regardless of residence, potentially causing double taxation and compliance burdens. Efforts have reduced these burdens in certain situations, such as the application of Alternative Minimum Tax foreign tax credits and the GILTI and Transition Tax regimes introduced in 2017 tax reforms.
Local-Hire Positions in Embassies: In 1991, the law barring local Americans from such positions was abolished with significant assistance from AARO.
| Year | Achievements and Activities |
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| 1973[16] |
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| 1974 |
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| 1976 |
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| 1978 |
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| 1980 |
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| 1981 |
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| 1982 |
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| 1983 |
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| 1984 |
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| 1985 |
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| 1986 |
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| 1987 |
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| 1988 |
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| 1989 |
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| 1991 |
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| 2017 to present |
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| 2019 to present |
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| 2023 |
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AARO's Main Issues[modifier | modifier le code]
AARO has maintained a consistent focus on voting, citizenship, taxation, banking, Social Security, and Medicare. Priorities shift annually in response to pending legislation. Efforts continue to promote an equitable tax system for Americans residing abroad. Recent advocacy has intensified in taxation and banking, addressing challenges such as limited access to workplace retirement plans, financial reporting requirements of FATCA and FBAR, and the growing trend of financial institutions denying services to Americans living overseas.
Absentee Voting[modifier | modifier le code]
When AARO was founded, Americans living abroad without a U.S. residence did not have the right to vote in U.S. elections. The "teabag campaign" initiated by AARO board members in 1975 mobilized American organizations worldwide, leading to the signing of a law by President Ford on January 2, 1976, granting overseas Americans the right to vote. Continuous collaboration with partner organizations and Congress has enhanced voting legislation and expanded rights for the overseas community.
Further advancements include the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986, ensuring that U.S. citizens residing overseas can register and vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. UOCAVA introduced the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and mandated free postage for these registrations and ballots. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), managed by the Department of Defense, administers the act, helping inform overseas citizens of their voting rights and facilitating participation.
While UOCAVA primarily covers federal elections, some states have extended its provisions to state and local elections. AARO plays a critical role in ensuring the rights of overseas voters are recognized and upheld.
FATCA[modifier | modifier le code]
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), enacted in 2010, targets non-compliance by U.S. taxpayers using foreign accounts. It requires foreign financial institutions (FFIs) to report information about accounts held by U.S. taxpayers to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Additionally, FATCA mandates U.S. citizens, including those living abroad, to report their non-U.S. financial accounts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The implementation of FATCA has significantly impacted Americans living outside the United States by increasing the burdens on reporting financial assets held abroad and complicating the process of opening and maintaining financial accounts.
AARO advocates for simplifications to FATCA reporting that do not detract from the law’s objectives, such as exempting financial accounts in the taxpayer's country of residence from the reporting requirements. Together with the banking committee, AARO works to address the challenges FATCA creates for Americans living overseas and to promote fairer laws and policies.
Current Initiatives and Mission of AARO[modifier | modifier le code]
Current Issues:[modifier | modifier le code]
AARO addresses serious challenges faced by U.S. citizens abroad, such as burdensome tax and financial reporting requirements and lack of support in Washington.
AARO’s Mission:[modifier | modifier le code]
- AARO is a non-partisan, volunteer organization dedicated to:
- Uniting efforts of overseas Americans to promote their social, civil, and fiscal rights.
- Advocating for recognition and protection of these rights.
- Educating overseas Americans about their rights and responsibilities.
- Informing U.S. government about issues affecting Americans abroad.
Key Priorities:[modifier | modifier le code]
- Eliminate citizenship-based taxation and ensure fair tax treatment.
- Simplify financial reporting and reduce penalties.
- Maintain access to bank accounts and retirement plans for Americans abroad.
- Protect citizenship rights and correct injustices.
- Secure voting rights for disenfranchised Americans.
- Obtain Medicare coverage for eligible overseas Americans.
- Advocate for additional Social Security agreements and eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision.
- Promote the appointment of an Americans Abroad Congressional Delegate.
Current Goals:[modifier | modifier le code]
- Increase political influence of Americans overseas through advocacy and participation in Overseas Americans Week.
- Secure Medicare coverage and address Windfall Elimination Provision penalties.
- Protect gains in citizenship and naturalization for children of American parents.
- Advocate for reducing the burden of Citizen Based Taxation and eliminating Transition and GILTI tax impacts on small businesses.
- Reform FATCA to ease administrative burdens and combat financial exclusion.
- Facilitate mutual recognition of U.S. state driver's licenses abroad.
- Enhance overseas voting facilitation.
- Continue providing comprehensive health insurance for AARO members.
AARO's Organization[modifier | modifier le code]
Committees[modifier | modifier le code]
AARO currently has the following standing committees to manage its work: Advocacy, Banking, Budget, Citizenship, Communications, Membership and Outreach, Social Security/Medicare, Tax, Voting, Website/Digital Marketing, Events and Consular Affairs.
AARO Group Medical Insurance[modifier | modifier le code]
Since 1987, the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) has provided private medical insurance tailored for Americans living abroad. This plan is available to AARO members and their immediate families, provided their primary residence is outside the United States. One of the notable features of this insurance is the guarantee of lifelong renewal, as long as the plan remains active, the subscriber continues AARO membership, and resides outside the U.S.
There are no age restrictions for eligibility, although medical screening is required. Underwritten by an internationally recognized company, the insurance offers three options: hospitalization only, medical coverage, and comprehensive coverage, which includes medical, dental, and optical services. Subscribers can select different rates of reimbursement according to their needs.
This insurance can serve as complete coverage without a deductible or, in France and some other countries, as a supplement to the national medical insurance system.
OFFICERS List[modifier | modifier le code]
| Years | President | Executive Vice president | Vice-Presidents | Treasurer | Assistant Treasurer | Secretary | Assistant Secretary | Newsletter Editors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973-1977 | Randolph Kidder | Phyllis Michaux | Sonja Mincbère, Allan Matlick | Vivienne Fortier | Dale Picot | Louise Saintonge | ||
| 1978-1979 | A. John Robertson | George Martin | Jack Williams | Viviennes Fortier | Philip Husby | Mary Salmon | Judith Atwell | Michèle Gompel, Kathleen Myler, Lucille Lvoff |
| 1979-1982 | George Martin | William Dunn | Phyllis Michaux | Jack Williams | James Kay | Lucille Lvoff | ||
| 1982-1988 | Stephanie H. Simonard | Kathleen de Carbuccia | Donald McGrew | Agnes Carnevale, Barbara Stern | Lucille Lvoff, Judith Atwell, Rhoda Seidler | |||
| 1988-1990 | Leo Packer | Thomas McEwan, Frank Dolan, James Kraebber | Robert Virtue | Michael Luckewiczk | Barbara Stern | Rhoda Seidler | ||
| 1990-1994 | Philip Kimbrough | Thomas McEwan, Michael Adler, James Krasbber | Michael Luckswicz | Tom Reeves | Barbara Stern | Rhoda Seidler | ||
| 1994-1998 | Gregory Good | Mary Beth Behrent, John Davidson, Thomas McEwan, Carla Rosen | Tom Reeves | Hendrik Vriesen | Barbara Stern | Rhoda Seidler | ||
| 1998-2000 | Roger Cruise | Mary Beth Behrent, Thomas McEwan, Don Johnson | Hendrik Vriesen | Tania Kerno | Barbara Stern | Rhoda Seidler, Mary Beth Behrent | ||
| 2000-2004 | Thomas Rose | Don Johnson, Kathleen de Carbuccia, Leigh Bailey | Al Herter | Bev Laflamme, Norman Reuter | Barbara Stern | Rhoda Seidler, John Flint | ||
| 2004 | Kistina Didouan | Don Johnson | Alison Scott | Barbara Stern | ||||
| 2005 | Don Johnson (Pro Tem) | Don Johnson, Margaret Lebreton | Sally Sharpe | Frank Priest | Barbara Stern | |||
| 2006-2008 | Kathleen de Carbuccia | Don Johnson, Margaret Lebreton | Sally Sharpe | Frank Priest | Barbara Stern | |||
| 2008-2010 | Kathleen de Carbuccia | Andrew Coyne | Don Johnson, Margaret Lebreton | Sally Sharpe | Jennifer Flock | |||
| 2010 | Peter Goldfharb | Andrew Coyne | Don Johnson, Margaret Lebreton | Sally Sharpe | Jennifer Flock | |||
| 2010-2012 | John Flint | Don Johnson, Margaret Lebreton | Sally Sharpe | Jennifer Flock | ||||
| 2012-2014 | Lucy Laederich | Mark J. Caroll | John Flint, Ellen Lebelle | Sally Sharpe | Ivanka Hahnenberger | Margaret Lebreton | ||
| 2014-2016 | Lucy Laederich | Mark J. Caroll | Ellen Lebelle | Sally Sharpe | Margaret Lebreton | |||
| 2016-2018 | Neil Kearney | Frank Priest, Lucy Laederich, Fred Einbinder | Jenifer Ehreth | Ellen Lebelle | ||||
| 2018-2020 | Neil Kearney | Frank Priest, Victoria Ferauge, Fred Einbinder | Jenifer Ehreth | Pam Combastet | ||||
| 2020-2022 | William Jordan | Frank Priest, Fred Einbinder | Douglas MaxKinney | Pam Combastet | ||||
| 2022-2024 | Doris Speer | Frank Priest, Fred Einbinder | Douglas MaxKinney | Pam Combastet | ||||
| 2024-2026 | Doris Speer | Frank Priest, Fred Einbinder | Douglas MaxKinney | Pam Combastet |
References[modifier | modifier le code]
- (en) Phyllis Michaux, Letters To Americans Living Abroad, International Herald Tribune , 1973, France, English, , 16 p. (lire en ligne), Page 6
- (en) INSPIRELLE, « AARO (Association of Americans Resident Overseas) »
- (en) Carolyn Maloney, « New Legislation to Support Overseas Americans »
- (en) moneygeek, « Managing Finances Wisely »
- Migtaion Policy Institute (MPI), « Counting the Uncountable: Overseas Americans »
- (en) « Where are Americans emigrating to and why? »
- (en) Nancy L. Green, « Expatriation, Expatriates, and Expats: The American Transformation of a Concept », American Historical Review, Oxford Academy, 2, april 2009, (lire en ligne)
- (en) Nick Mordowanec, « Post About Why Americans Can't 'Just Move' To Another Country Sparks Debate », may 27, 2022 at 11:40 am edt
- « Détail d'une annonce | Associations — Journal Officiel » (consulté le )
- (en) AAWE, « Phyllis Michaux Commemoration AAWE », AAWE, (lire en ligne)
- « Collection: Phyllis Michaux Papers | Georgetown University Archival Resources » (consulté le )
- (en) Phyllis Michaux, The Unknown Ambassadors: A Saga of Citizenship, Aletheia Pubns Inc, (ISBN 978-0-9639260-2-9, lire en ligne)
- (en-GB) Phyllis Michaux March 2007, « The Teabag Campaign » (consulté le )
- (en-GB) « AARO - The Association of Americans Resident Overseas », (consulté le )
- (en) ASSOCIATION OF AMERICANS RESIDENT OVERSEAS, « BYLAWS; Original Bylaws adopted June 4, 1973; Last amended January 16, 2024 », [ASSOCIATION – Law 1901],
- (en) GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY DATABASE, « Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO) »