Originally Posted by sculler1x

I asked this US and Italian consultates this question, and got the answer that it doesn't matter which passport you use to enter the country - it's the fact that you have it that matters. Also, in the US, the US government pays no regard to my Italian citizenship, and in Italy, the government pays no regard to my US citizenship. In a third country, I am apparently free to call whichever (or both) consulate I choose if I need assistance. Fortunately, I haven't had to put that last part to the test yet.