to become an american citizen or not

[DeadPoolX 9]

Not to derail the conversation, but... if someone is both an American and a Canadian citizen, can they visit places like Cuba? I don't have an interest in doing so; however, as a natural-born American citizen, I am not allowed to go to Cuba. If I became a Canadian citizen as well, could I go or would I somehow get in trouble with the U.S. government?

The US government will recognize you as American only. They aren't going to recognize your Canadian citizenship at all. Based on that, I would assume that you still wouldn't be able to visit Cuba.

~ Catherine

Actually, I meant heading there from Canada or at least somewhere other than U.S. I could use my Canadian passport to exit Canada. Hell, I could probably use it from within the U.S. too.

Once again, I have no interest in visiting Cuba. But I think the entire scenario is an interesting one.

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I've heard of Americans flying to a Canadian destination enroute to Cuba and then back through Canada with no problems but like you, I'd like to know if anyone has found anything definitive on the subject. I suppose if your ticket from Canada to Cuba was separate from the first leg of the trip and not part of your official itinerary, who would be the wiser but still, I'd play by the rules and not simply risk it based on what others have gotten away with.

When my Canadian brother lived in LA for (non-government) work in the 80's, his contract did not allow him to visit Cuba during that time. He also had to promise not to pierce his ears but whatever......

When I lived in Toronto, I was about a block from a pretty high-end cigar store. Celebrities like Arnold Swartzenegger (sp?) and Sylvester Stalone would purchase Cuban cigars there in bulk. I always wondered how the heck they got them back to the US (especially Arnie as Governor!). Even if you fly by private jet, are you not screened by Customs?

[thetreble 19]

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.

[Carlawarla 1]

Even if you were an American living in Canada, or heck, an American living in the U.S., you can visit Cuba. There are people here on VJ that are U.S. Citizens, who flew out of another country, to visit Cuba, met their SO and have successfully obtained visas, so really, it's a bit of a joke.

[thetreble 19]

Even if you were an American living in Canada, or heck, an American living in the U.S., you can visit Cuba. There are people here on VJ that are U.S. Citizens, who flew out of another country, to visit Cuba, met their SO and have successfully obtained visas, so really, it's a bit of a joke.

Really? I didn't realize it. I've been 3 times and I thought since I've got the the I551 stamp in my passport, they'd throw me back on the plane. Going to Cuba not knowing if you are welcome or not is a big of a risk to be honest. They've got more armed guards in public areas then any other country I personally have visited so far in my life.

[Marilyn. 340]

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...

[thetreble 19]

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...

Word.

[Carlawarla 1]

Even if you were an American living in Canada, or heck, an American living in the U.S., you can visit Cuba. There are people here on VJ that are U.S. Citizens, who flew out of another country, to visit Cuba, met their SO and have successfully obtained visas, so really, it's a bit of a joke.

Really? I didn't realize it. I've been 3 times and I thought since I've got the the I551 stamp in my passport, they'd throw me back on the plane. Going to Cuba not knowing if you are welcome or not is a big of a risk to be honest. They've got more armed guards in public areas then any other country I personally have visited so far in my life.

Well, I think the issue is, that you can't fly on a plane that's from US soil. I know my friend in Canada who has gone to Cuba several times, says the plane can't land on US soil if it's Cuba bound so they need lots of gas. But yes, there are members on VJ here who have visited Cuba and are petitioning their SO from Cuba. Weird, I know! I'm sure the number is very small, but it's done!

Just one question boxflex...why didn't you immigrate to Canada given your wife's treatment in the U.S. prior to her going to Canada? Did you two consider this?

Edited August 14, 2009 by Carlawarla

[thetreble 19]

haha I'm too much of a chicken to try it...I have thought about it though...

[The_Dude 1,142]

haha I'm too much of a chicken to try it...I have thought about it though...

Do it, come on, I know you want to. All the cool kids are

Edit: ooops, I forgot I was on this account. I was posting serious question Back to teh smurf.

Edited August 14, 2009 by Rob and Mel

[trailmix 77]

haha I'm too much of a chicken to try it...I have thought about it though...

Do it, come on, I know you want to. All the cool kids are

Edit: ooops, I forgot I was on this account. I was posting serious question Back to teh smurf.

So now your wife's account has become your alter ego?

[bowflex 0]

Just one question boxflex...why didn't you immigrate to Canada given your wife's treatment in the U.S. prior to her going to Canada? Did you two consider this?

Yep most definitely did The problem was at the time she was in Canada her family's Humanitarian and Refugee case was still pending with the Canadian Government. With less that 35% of these cases being approved we couldn't seriously look at immigrating to Canada as it could've started the entire situation all over where we'd be forced to leave at a week's notice. Visiting my wife every weekend for 2 1/2 years, I met some very incredible people and even had quite a few of them attend our wedding in Windsor

[bowflex 0]

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 agree with this fully and actually never said that living somewhere equals loyalty

[The Dude 206]

haha I'm too much of a chicken to try it...I have thought about it though...

Do it, come on, I know you want to. All the cool kids are

Edit: ooops, I forgot I was on this account. I was posting serious question Back to teh smurf.

So now your wife's account has become your alter ego?

Well, the account is both of ours, but I promised her that I would only use that one for serious questions in the immigration forums. Seeing as I normally post in OT, I use this one. I had posted a question earlier and actually had both accounts logged in. I mixed it up and posted on the wrong acct

[CanAmCharlotte 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.