to become an american citizen or not

[July09Bride 1]

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

The funny part is... it isn't illegal for USCs to visit Cuba... it is actually illegal for them to SPEND MONEY in Cuba!!!! LOL But, in order to visit someplace, one is required to spend money, due to the Embargo. Hence, the problem. In the past, USCs who have family in Cuba were allowed to visit once every three years. Now, they can visit once a year. However amazing tourism is in Cuba, there is no way, in the next number of years, that even a city such as Havana could handle a large influx of visitors. I've heard, that if the sanctions/embargoes are lifted, there would be a "lottery" of sorts. The number of allowed visitations would be upped each year, as hotel space and other tourism opportunities grew. Currently, there is equal hotel space compared to a small boutique "type" of town. Many of the RICH Americans (that's defintely NOT me!) have a bunch of money and would pay HIGH, HIGH bucks to travel to Havana for a great vacation. I feel sorry for the Cubans who would be shocked by the loud and obnoxious as well as the perfect-service demanding Americans. (BTW, I truly despise those people!) I'm not sure the relatively "quiet" world of Havana and the rest of Cuba is ready for an American invasion, of sorts.

Just my thoughts.....

[thetreble 19]

I actually agree, July. In my travels to Cuba, I spent some time talking to some of the people at the hotels and resorts and the tour guides as well. I had this one tour guide for Havana and he was amazing. He could speak 5 languages! So, I talked to him for quite awhile on the feeling of Cubans towards the rest of the world, towards the US, and even towards Castro himself.

He told me that many Cubans fear the death of Castro, or I guess his brother now, because being in power for 50 years has left most people living in Cuba with only knowing one political regime their entire lives. Also, he presents himself as a father figure, which is natural in most socialist/nationalistic regimes. They just fear the unknown.

But, I don't think they could handle thousands upon thousands of American tourists all at once. If anything happened, it would have to be gradual.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

So, today was the day. I am now a dual American and Canadian citizen. Here is a link to my post about the ceremony:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=215006

Interestingly, the oath says "I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty . ." well, I can rationalize that Canada does not have a prince or potentate, is not a state or a sovereignty so there was nothing about giving up my citizenship in a Dominion :-).

I am happy to pledge allegiance to my second country of citizenship and to promise to up hold her laws and all that she stands for - that is fair and honourable. The ceremony was very moving and I know I was close to tears several times during the ceremony from the emotional energy of it all.

[Krikit 1,164]

Awwww. That's wonderful, Kathryn.

I've been meaning to ask you for the longest time.... what was the citizenship interview like?

Edited August 27, 2009 by Krikit

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Awwww. That's wonderful, Kathryn.

I've been meaning to ask you for the longest time.... what was the citizenship interview like?

here is a link to the page where I updated my interview information in the Citizenship forum - last post on the page, I believe.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...8818&st=705

Edited August 27, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Krikit 1,164]

Nice! Thanks Kathryn.

[trailmix 77]

Nice! Thanks Kathryn.

Oh I got confused because I read the other thread and thought, but I thought Kathryn was going to the ceremony today, not the interview!

I'm glad it was so nice for you

[Jamaican JNR 2]

I wonder if anyone else feels like I do. I have been married for 4 years to an American citizen and I am Canadian. At times I think about getting my American citizenship but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it. I am a permanent resident and I am not sure why I would become an American citizen. I guess I have a strong attachment to being Canadian and am proud of my country and my heritage. I know I have nothing to lose by becoming a citizen and probably more to gain but I am what I am, no matter what you call me...I am Canadian dammit lol...does anyone else feel this way. Actually, I never really felt that patriotic about my country until I left it.....ok i am done ranting....I just wondered how other Canadians felt.

Do what you have to do.

[thedawghouse86 0]

It's a VERY Canadian thing to be apprehensive about become a U.S. citizen. After all, we're literally raised to think of the United States as "them." My entire family is English, so I've heard it more than most.

The key difference is with how both countries obtained their full sovereignty. The U.S. gained it on the blood of revolutionaries; as a result, Britain was a bit more careful when it came to Canada. The distrust of foreign entities is in the most core aspects of American governance which is why the oath has you disavow loyalties to any other entity but the U.S.

Canada only obtained full de jure sovereignty in 1982. Canada itself was brought into being in 1867 in an attempt by the British to both protect what can only be described as weakly-defined provinces and to mold Canada into a country that, with what became the Constitution of the U.S. through the compromises of the Founding Fathers, avoided some of pitfalls of certain parts of the U.S. Constitution (i.e. de facto restriction of the President but no set way to outline explicitly the role of the President, the gradual power-gain of an initially weak judicial branch, the concept of dual citizenship between U.S. and state citizenship which restricts the federal government in terms of providing laws applicable in all 50 states (which I agree with), and some poorly defined minor details like those that don't provide a way to get around the Supreme Court due to its interpretative nature unless there is an explicit, well-worded law passed through Congress (executive orders aren't technically good enough)).

That, and Canada just HATES the U.S. beating them at hockey.

I think I'll pass my citizenship test when the time comes

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Wow...where'd THIS thread come from...

[OBX 51]

Wow...where'd THIS thread come from...

Someone has been using the "Search" function!

[Krikit 1,164]

It's a VERY Canadian thing to be apprehensive about become a U.S. citizen. After all, we're literally raised to think of the United States as "them." My entire family is English, so I've heard it more than most.

The key difference is with how both countries obtained their full sovereignty. The U.S. gained it on the blood of revolutionaries; as a result, Britain was a bit more careful when it came to Canada. The distrust of foreign entities is in the most core aspects of American governance which is why the oath has you disavow loyalties to any other entity but the U.S.

Canada only obtained full de jure sovereignty in 1982. Canada itself was brought into being in 1867 in an attempt by the British to both protect what can only be described as weakly-defined provinces and to mold Canada into a country that, with what became the Constitution of the U.S. through the compromises of the Founding Fathers, avoided some of pitfalls of certain parts of the U.S. Constitution (i.e. de facto restriction of the President but no set way to outline explicitly the role of the President, the gradual power-gain of an initially weak judicial branch, the concept of dual citizenship between U.S. and state citizenship which restricts the federal government in terms of providing laws applicable in all 50 states (which I agree with), and some poorly defined minor details like those that don't provide a way to get around the Supreme Court due to its interpretative nature unless there is an explicit, well-worded law passed through Congress (executive orders aren't technically good enough)).

That, and Canada just HATES the U.S. beating them at hockey.

I think I'll pass my citizenship test when the time comes

Is this on the exam, Teach?

[Galateia 1]

No. I hate it here and cannot wait to leave.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Is this on the exam, Teach?

No kidding! Generalizations annoy me.

I've always loved both the United States and Canada. In the '90's, I would have told you that I thought the U.S. was preferable to Canada, even though I'm a Canadian through and through. But I truly love both countries. Both have their warts, to be sure, but what country doesn't?

I'm looking forward to being a citizen of both countries in three years or so. They're both quite dear to me, and I'll gladly defend either.

[Sprailenes 47]

No. I hate it here and cannot wait to leave.