U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident

[meauxna 15]

Well i will probably go with dual citizenship. Do i have to just update my UK passport for this?

No, you don't just update your UK pp. You have to qualify, apply, test for and swear the oath to become a US citizen. From then, to the US, you are a USC only.

The UK isn't bothered either way.

[godsavethequeen 0]

I was kinda hedging my bets....

Staying with the UK passport, then Mrswhizz and I will always have the option of returning to the UK then go live in France......

but then again the deportation laws seem slightly harsh for a misdemeaner. I found it hard keeping to the right side of the road or is it the left??? .........I'll be staying to the sidewlks and keeping off the grass.

[rebeccajo 14]

Aside from all the things Meauxna pointed out, here's another little 'spin' for you. Those from the UK especially, you might find this englightening.

As a non-USC, you are not entitled to the few remedies the US doles out in the event of some of life's calamities because those remedies are considered 'means-tested benefits'. And your sponsor, when they signed the I-864, assured the government that you, the immigrant, would never be a recipient of said benefits.

Example - You lose your job and can't find another for a looooong time. You, as an immigrant, can draw your unemployment compensation, as you earned that through your legal employment in the US. But say you get to the point where you need help with your housing - over here our government doesn't provide a housing benefit when you are out of work. The only assistance offered is subsidized rent in certain buildings, and guess what - that's means tested. You won't be able to ask for food stamps if your children are hungry. You won't be able to ask for a medical card.

In essence, if you adhered to the promises of the I-864, and you lost your job through no fault of your own and could not find another - if your family were hungry or there was illness that required the attention of a doctor or hospital - if you needed a roof over your head and the only help available were subsidized housing - you can avail yourself to NONE of this as you are not a US citizen.

Is that enough reason to naturalize?

Edited July 15, 2006 by rebeccajo

[arwensun1965 0]

Example - You lose your job and can't find another for a looooong time. You, as an immigrant, can draw your unemployment compensation, as you earned that through your legal employment in the US. But say you get to the point where you need help with your housing - over here our government doesn't provide a housing benefit when you are out of work. The only assistance offered is subsidized rent in certain buildings, and guess what - that's means tested. You won't be able to ask for food stamps if your children are hungry. You won't be able to ask for a medical card.

Certainly has me thinking