to become an american citizen or not

[bowflex 0]

I just read something on another immigration website that said that when Little Bush was in office he and Congress were well aware of Americans traveling through third party countries to Cuba but that it was strictly illegal and they were trying to figure out a way to stop it. Maybe under Obama or when Castro dies, these restrictions will be relaxed. I mean really, what exactly is the argument against it?

If you want a cheap-ish tropical vacation, I still say it's not worth the risk. Go to the Dominican Republic or Mexico instead.

I bet it's actually going to go away fairly soon. Obama already has met with Cuban officials and has opened up talks and that's 1,000% more than Bush was willing to do. That poor country is so beat up from all the sanctions it's time to end it, at least I hope

[JillA 2]

Deadpool- Not a good idea.

If you go back and read the Nexus thread, you will see that when I went to my Nexus interview I was highly interrogated about my trips to Cuba prior to even meeting my husband. These trips were in 2004 and 2005, and even though it was a long time ago and I was perfectly legal in entering Cuba as a Canadian citizen, the BP Officer made it VERY clear that as a PR of the USA it is against the law for me to enter Cuba at any time and if I do so, I will be fully prosecuted to the extent of the law.

He was a jerk about it, but he was PRETTY darn clear.

That sucks SO bad! I wish I could still go to Cuba, my close friend is getting married there next year but I certainly won't risk my PR status for her wedding

[minnew 4]

Deadpool- Not a good idea.

If you go back and read the Nexus thread, you will see that when I went to my Nexus interview I was highly interrogated about my trips to Cuba prior to even meeting my husband. These trips were in 2004 and 2005, and even though it was a long time ago and I was perfectly legal in entering Cuba as a Canadian citizen, the BP Officer made it VERY clear that as a PR of the USA it is against the law for me to enter Cuba at any time and if I do so, I will be fully prosecuted to the extent of the law.

He was a jerk about it, but he was PRETTY darn clear.

That sucks SO bad! I wish I could still go to Cuba, my close friend is getting married there next year but I certainly won't risk my PR status for her wedding

Haha my boss was joking around with me saying oh yeah you should have came over to my house and hung out with my cuban friends last weekend...then you'll never get into the USA. I am sad too, my cousin is getting married in Cuba next November, looks like I won't be able to attend!

[thetreble 19]

I just read something on another immigration website that said that when Little Bush was in office he and Congress were well aware of Americans traveling through third party countries to Cuba but that it was strictly illegal and they were trying to figure out a way to stop it. Maybe under Obama or when Castro dies, these restrictions will be relaxed. I mean really, what exactly is the argument against it?

If you want a cheap-ish tropical vacation, I still say it's not worth the risk. Go to the Dominican Republic or Mexico instead.

I went to the Dominican in May and it was a lot more expensive actually then my previous trips to Cuba. It was nice but I like being in a place where Americans aren't allowed....

JOKING! HONEST!

[JillA 2]

I just read something on another immigration website that said that when Little Bush was in office he and Congress were well aware of Americans traveling through third party countries to Cuba but that it was strictly illegal and they were trying to figure out a way to stop it. Maybe under Obama or when Castro dies, these restrictions will be relaxed. I mean really, what exactly is the argument against it?

If you want a cheap-ish tropical vacation, I still say it's not worth the risk. Go to the Dominican Republic or Mexico instead.

I went to the Dominican in May and it was a lot more expensive actually then my previous trips to Cuba. It was nice but I like being in a place where Americans aren't allowed....

JOKING! HONEST!

[DeadPoolX 9]

Deadpool- Not a good idea.

If you go back and read the Nexus thread, you will see that when I went to my Nexus interview I was highly interrogated about my trips to Cuba prior to even meeting my husband. These trips were in 2004 and 2005, and even though it was a long time ago and I was perfectly legal in entering Cuba as a Canadian citizen, the BP Officer made it VERY clear that as a PR of the USA it is against the law for me to enter Cuba at any time and if I do so, I will be fully prosecuted to the extent of the law.

He was a jerk about it, but he was PRETTY darn clear.

Well, I have no intention of visiting Cuba. Even if I wanted to, it's pretty clear that doing so would become a huge problem. It's certainly not worth the risk.

I could be a loyal US citizen living in Canada just like I can be a loyal Canadian citizen living in the US.. loyalty is not about where you live...

I absolutely agree.

[Pooh and Piglet 0]

Becoming an American Citizen, is rather unnecessary for most Canadians. However consider this. I resisted for years but then found myself in a situation where I needed it and couldn't get it for a long long time.

You never know, you may also find yourself in some situation where it would be desirable to have US citizenship. For example: A lot of jobs require it. If things don't work out with your US spouse, it would be much better to have the choice all of North America to look for a job. What if you can't find one in Canada?

You never lose your Canadian citizenship. so whats the problem? And the fun part is you can act like a double agent. Use the Canadian passport going into Canada, and the US one going into the US.

I recommend keeping the Canadian passport current. It can be handy for travelling as US citizens often get hammered with extra fees or are simply banned. Case in point: Day trip to China from Hong Kong. Canadian can get instant visa at the border. US Citizen.. forget it! Pay $300 and wait a week.

[Chocolot 0]

You have the choice to be a permanent resident, or a citizen.

However if you leave to live elsewhere, you lose PR. Unlike some other countries, eg Australia where permanent means always and does not make you undergo the complete immigration process again. Unfortunately I feel forced into taking citizenship to avoid having to apply for a new visa in the future.

[trailmix 77]

However if you leave to live elsewhere, you lose PR. Unlike some other countries, eg Australia where permanent means always and does not make you undergo the complete immigration process again. Unfortunately I feel forced into taking citizenship to avoid having to apply for a new visa in the future.

That's true and it's the same for Canada as well, you keep it as long as you are with your Canadian spouse in that other country. (are you sharing that Dairy Milk Jayde??)

Pooh and Piglet - a main topic in this thread is about pledging allegiance to the U.S. when you become a U.S. citizen - and excluding other countries, also being able to vote to fully participate in your new community - so while on the surface it doesn't seem like a big deal (based on what you are talking about) for a lot of people it is.

[Chocolot 0]

(are you sharing that Dairy Milk Jayde??)

Pooh and Piglet - a main topic in this thread is about pledging allegiance to the U.S. when you become a U.S. citizen - and excluding other countries, also being able to vote to fully participate in your new community - so while on the surface it doesn't seem like a big deal (based on what you are talking about) for a lot of people it is.

I can understand the USC view that my taking citizenship is disingenuous BUT I have no alternative, as when I return to live in my home country, my permanent residence in the USA is no longer valid. I dont need another citizenship, I have my birth country and my choice (adopted) 2 passports are plenty.

US immigration overhaul doesnt appear to change some of these issues, so we have to make the best choices we can, for our families.

PS TopDeck is really my favourite, DairyMilk is just second choice

[KarenCee 3]

Hubby intends to become a US Citizen...but as I'm sure has been mentioned, he won't lose his Canadian citizenship. He will be a dual. That's my intention too at some point...to become a dual. I don't think becoming a US Citizen in any way negates one's Canadian citizenry. It's all in the heart.

[alex2122 0]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... can anyone from another country really become an American?. Your U.S passport will always say where you are from, so you will always be Canadian, Colombian, etc. I think you can only be an American if you are born in America. When you naturalize you become a U.S citizen, but you're still from that other country, whether you hold its citizenship or not.

[Krikit 1,164]

Correcting.

My Canadian passport says I was born in the UK, but I am still a Canadian.

[warlord 73]

Correcting.

My Canadian passport says I was born in the UK, but I am still a Canadian.

And my American passport says I wasn't born in the US, but I am still an American...

[thetreble 19]

And my passport says I was born in Canada and god damn it I'm Canadian!

oh wait...nope..doesn't work the same does it.