Crossword Genius

Don't say as much when lacking citizenship (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stateless

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'citizenship' is the definition.
(I know that stateless is a citizenship)

'don't say as much when lacking' is the wordplay.
'don't say' becomes 'state' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'as much' becomes 'no less' (I've seen this in another clue).
'when' becomes 'on' (I've seen this in other clues).
'lacking' suggests deleting specific letters.
'noless' with 'on' taken away is 'less'.
'state'+'less'='STATELESS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stateless that I've seen before include "those without nationhood" , "With no nationality" , "Without citizenship" , "Unrecognised by any country" , "Condition of a person unable to obtain a passport" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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