Does anyone NOT want to be a USC?

[Sinergy 3]

1. A Citizen Can Vote

A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

I don't care about politics. No benefit here.

2. Citizens can leave the US and live in another country for as long as they want, yet still come back at any time. Travel may be easier for US citizens in certain countries with visa waivers for Americans. And citizens receive US embassy protection abroad.

great, never thought of that. Definitely a benefit.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

I ain't bringing anyone, ever.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

well, it's nice to know Charles can never get rid of me

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

oh cool. I'm definitely going for it now.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

bleh. I'm not a democrat.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

great. main reason. I wanna be president! jk

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

no kids.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

great. another benefit

Id love to know how not being or being a democrat has anything to do with financial help when needed.

I just hope you never end up in the situation where you would need that kind of help, bc it has nothing to do with your political stance, but i wouldnt expect you to understand that

[GabiandVi 34]

but also be careful !! an american citizen even if he live in germany for example will also have to pay taxes in US !

I am considering becoming citizen but just because i can also keep my french and canadian citizenship aswell.

Yes, that's true. But as a USC, you can take the foreign earned income exclusion. I take it and I pay no taxes because I make less than the exclusion. Of course, I have to report my US income to the tax authorities here in China and I would have to pay taxes on it here if I actually had any US income.

[Alex+R 0]

1. A Citizen Can Vote

A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

I don't care about politics. No benefit here.

2. Citizens can leave the US and live in another country for as long as they want, yet still come back at any time. Travel may be easier for US citizens in certain countries with visa waivers for Americans. And citizens receive US embassy protection abroad.

great, never thought of that. Definitely a benefit.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

I ain't bringing anyone, ever.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

well, it's nice to know Charles can never get rid of me

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

oh cool. I'm definitely going for it now.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

bleh. I'm not a democrat.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

great. main reason. I wanna be president! jk

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

no kids.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

great. another benefit

Id love to know how not being or being a democrat has anything to do with financial help when needed.

I just hope you never end up in the situation where you would need that kind of help, bc it has nothing to do with your political stance, but i wouldnt expect you to understand that

Didn't you know, Democrats are wealthy and overeducated, but also use all the public services? It's a really strange situation.

I don't think people who don't plan to vote should be allowed to become citizens. I don't believe people need a lot of patriotism to live in a place, but voting is a basic duty. It means so much more than "politics." Although I don't see how you can regurgitate lame right-wing propaganda without having any interest in politics...

[no name 1]

1. A Citizen Can Vote

A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

I don't care about politics. No benefit here.

2. Citizens can leave the US and live in another country for as long as they want, yet still come back at any time. Travel may be easier for US citizens in certain countries with visa waivers for Americans. And citizens receive US embassy protection abroad.

great, never thought of that. Definitely a benefit.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

I ain't bringing anyone, ever.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

well, it's nice to know Charles can never get rid of me

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

oh cool. I'm definitely going for it now.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

bleh. I'm not a democrat.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

great. main reason. I wanna be president! jk

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

no kids.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

great. another benefit

Id love to know how not being or being a democrat has anything to do with financial help when needed.

I just hope you never end up in the situation where you would need that kind of help, bc it has nothing to do with your political stance, but i wouldnt expect you to understand that

[Dan J 277]

My aunt came to the US from British Columbia (now Belize) as a high school student and stayed on to go to nursing school. She lived for at least 40 years as an LPR married to my uncle, but after their children grew up she wanted to go back to work. She never wanted to give up her loyalty to the Queen (imagine that), but she found that it was just very costly to work as an LPR, so she got her citizenship.

My husband will not give up citizenship to his country, but we definitely want for him to get US citizenship. If he wants to visit Canada, he has to get a visa and his chances are not great. Every time he flies, he has to pass through France, sometimes with a 23 hour layover. If he wants to leave the airport he has to get a visa. It will just be so much easier when he has citizenship and can benefit from the VWP. Also, I hope to go abroad again some day, and we don't want to have to hassle with how he keeps his residency if we live abroad for several years, etc. It's just easier.

LPR's of the US can visit Canada or Mexico without a visa.

[no name 1]

My aunt came to the US from British Columbia (now Belize) as a high school student and stayed on to go to nursing school. She lived for at least 40 years as an LPR married to my uncle, but after their children grew up she wanted to go back to work. She never wanted to give up her loyalty to the Queen (imagine that), but she found that it was just very costly to work as an LPR, so she got her citizenship.

My husband will not give up citizenship to his country, but we definitely want for him to get US citizenship. If he wants to visit Canada, he has to get a visa and his chances are not great. Every time he flies, he has to pass through France, sometimes with a 23 hour layover. If he wants to leave the airport he has to get a visa. It will just be so much easier when he has citizenship and can benefit from the VWP. Also, I hope to go abroad again some day, and we don't want to have to hassle with how he keeps his residency if we live abroad for several years, etc. It's just easier.

LPR's of the US can visit Canada or Mexico without a visa.

I think they are still waiting for a visa.

[Dan J 277]

1. A Citizen Can Vote

A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

I don't care about politics. No benefit here.

2. Citizens can leave the US and live in another country for as long as they want, yet still come back at any time. Travel may be easier for US citizens in certain countries with visa waivers for Americans. And citizens receive US embassy protection abroad.

great, never thought of that. Definitely a benefit.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

I ain't bringing anyone, ever.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

well, it's nice to know Charles can never get rid of me

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

oh cool. I'm definitely going for it now.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

bleh. I'm not a democrat.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

great. main reason. I wanna be president! jk

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

no kids.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

great. another benefit

Id love to know how not being or being a democrat has anything to do with financial help when needed.

I just hope you never end up in the situation where you would need that kind of help, bc it has nothing to do with your political stance, but i wouldnt expect you to understand that

Didn't you know, Democrats are wealthy and overeducated, but also use all the public services? It's a really strange situation.

I don't think people who don't plan to vote should be allowed to become citizens. I don't believe people need a lot of patriotism to live in a place, but voting is a basic duty. It means so much more than "politics." Although I don't see how you can regurgitate lame right-wing propaganda without having any interest in politics...

Its ironic really. The states that get the most benefits from the goverment tend to be red states. The states that generate most of the tax revenue tend to be blue states.

[GabiandVi 34]

My aunt came to the US from British Columbia (now Belize) as a high school student and stayed on to go to nursing school. She lived for at least 40 years as an LPR married to my uncle, but after their children grew up she wanted to go back to work. She never wanted to give up her loyalty to the Queen (imagine that), but she found that it was just very costly to work as an LPR, so she got her citizenship.

My husband will not give up citizenship to his country, but we definitely want for him to get US citizenship. If he wants to visit Canada, he has to get a visa and his chances are not great. Every time he flies, he has to pass through France, sometimes with a 23 hour layover. If he wants to leave the airport he has to get a visa. It will just be so much easier when he has citizenship and can benefit from the VWP. Also, I hope to go abroad again some day, and we don't want to have to hassle with how he keeps his residency if we live abroad for several years, etc. It's just easier.

LPR's of the US can visit Canada or Mexico without a visa.

Good to know.

[Sinergy 3]

1. A Citizen Can Vote

A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

I don't care about politics. No benefit here.

2. Citizens can leave the US and live in another country for as long as they want, yet still come back at any time. Travel may be easier for US citizens in certain countries with visa waivers for Americans. And citizens receive US embassy protection abroad.

great, never thought of that. Definitely a benefit.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

I ain't bringing anyone, ever.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

well, it's nice to know Charles can never get rid of me

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

oh cool. I'm definitely going for it now.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

bleh. I'm not a democrat.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

great. main reason. I wanna be president! jk

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

no kids.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

great. another benefit

Id love to know how not being or being a democrat has anything to do with financial help when needed.

I just hope you never end up in the situation where you would need that kind of help, bc it has nothing to do with your political stance, but i wouldnt expect you to understand that

Didn't you know, Democrats are wealthy and overeducated, but also use all the public services? It's a really strange situation.

I don't think people who don't plan to vote should be allowed to become citizens. I don't believe people need a lot of patriotism to live in a place, but voting is a basic duty. It means so much more than "politics." Although I don't see how you can regurgitate lame right-wing propaganda without having any interest in politics...

So glad i came out of my busy at the moment life to comment on this posting. Time to leave for some time again, got alot of packing to do. and im POOPED!

[SnowyTater 0]

Up until about a month ago I thought this whole K1 process or any of these immigration channels, I guess, were inevitably going to end up in citizenship We dived right into this one totally ignorant

But really I was shocked that they don't MAKE you get citizenship after a certain number of years. I heard years ago (maybe it's not true though) that if you live in the UK for 6 years, by that time they make you become a citizen...which really seems fair enough to me, I guess. I'm just surprised the US lets this many people "in" without having to become citizens.

Though it really doesn't matter at all I guess. I also used to think that you didn't have to pay US taxes until you were a citizen, so my UK fiance would have had to keep paying the UK taxes while he got his greencard. Guess as long as the US is getting their tax money they don't care if you're a citizen or not

[mawilson 2,133]

#10 - Never dealing with USCIS again.

Good one, Alumina!

[sj5 4]

i maybe go for it to get a better job someday.

Edited April 2, 2008 by SJ

[Illinois 0]

Hi

So I'm new and I can't help but notice how many people really want to be citizens. Is there anyone here who wants to be an LPR but really couldn't care less about citizenship.

Only if/when I have spare coins to first retain my current citizenship. I have no wish to work for the Federal Govt, do not intend engaging in robbery or murder, so stand little chance of deportation.

P.S. As an insight into my personality... I also didn't take my husband's name. Unlikely to take his citizenship.

Must be a commonality - neither did I. I am traditional - many women in my homecountry do not change their lastnames

[no name 1]

#10 - Never dealing with USCIS again.

Good one, Alumina!

Who's Alumina?

[DeadPoolX 9]

My aunt came to the US from British Columbia (now Belize) as a high school student and stayed on to go to nursing school. She lived for at least 40 years as an LPR married to my uncle, but after their children grew up she wanted to go back to work. She never wanted to give up her loyalty to the Queen (imagine that), but she found that it was just very costly to work as an LPR, so she got her citizenship.

My husband will not give up citizenship to his country, but we definitely want for him to get US citizenship. If he wants to visit Canada, he has to get a visa and his chances are not great. Every time he flies, he has to pass through France, sometimes with a 23 hour layover. If he wants to leave the airport he has to get a visa. It will just be so much easier when he has citizenship and can benefit from the VWP. Also, I hope to go abroad again some day, and we don't want to have to hassle with how he keeps his residency if we live abroad for several years, etc. It's just easier.

I have a question...

You said that your "aunt came to the U.S. from British Columbia" and then suggested that it had been renamed by writing "now Belize." As far as I know, British Columbia is a province in Canada, whereas Belize was once called British Honduras. Both are Commonwealth Nations and were once British Colonies, so the Crown (no matter who was on the throne at the time) would have been at the head of both countries. From what I've been told, however, the British monarchy has little power and control over Canada today and I don't know enough about Belize to make an accurate comment.

Did you make a small error or is there something I'm not aware of here?