to become an american citizen or not

[JillA 2]

Good luck at your interview Kathryn, be sure to let us know how it goes! So do you actually become a citizen on Thursday or is that later?

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I want U.S. citizenship merely for the convenience of it.

Traveling back and forth will be easier, etc. My hubby and I plan on moving back to Canada in the future so I won't have to worry about starting all over again if later on we decide to move back.

I am and always will be 100% Canadian...I just happen to live in the U.S.....for now.

[Danu 19]

I want U.S. citizenship merely for the convenience of it.

Traveling back and forth will be easier, etc. My hubby and I plan on moving back to Canada in the future so I won't have to worry about starting all over again if later on we decide to move back.

I am and always will be 100% Canadian...I just happen to live in the U.S.....for now.

This is definately one of the reasons I'm thinking about possibly getting mine, as well as the right to vote. The hardship on me comes in that if I get my American Citizenship I automatically lose my German one, so I'm not sure right now what I'm going to do.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

This is definately one of the reasons I'm thinking about possibly getting mine, as well as the right to vote. The hardship on me comes in that if I get my American Citizenship I automatically lose my German one, so I'm not sure right now what I'm going to do.

That totally sucks Danu.

Do what's best for you, follow your heart.

I wish you all the best in your decision making!!!

[Danu 19]

hehe thank you! I have lots of time to think about my choices, just trying to weigh which one is the right one. Probably will go with American though over German as the only family I have over there is my Oma (grandma) and Tante (aunt) and I can still visit on these passports. Doubt I will ever go over there to live/work.

[bowflex 0]

I actually have strong feelings on this but I won't get into them just because I've always lived here and by that I know my viewpoint is very biased I'll just say that I feel if you immigrate to this country on a spousal visa you should apply for citizenship, good luck to all who struggle with the decision!!

[beans 7]

I agree with everyone else. And I am a very patriotic Canadian, I'll defend Canada until my dying day. But to be done with USCIS? Ugh marone, I'd do it in a heartbeat and then when asked if I'm American..I'd say no lol

[thetreble 19]

I actually have strong feelings on this but I won't get into them just because I've always lived here and by that I know my viewpoint is very biased I'll just say that I feel if you immigrate to this country on a spousal visa you should apply for citizenship, good luck to all who struggle with the decision!!

Why? Don't you think it's enough that we pay thousands of dollars just to immigrate, live and work? What's the difference between becoming a citizen or just being a PR for the rest of your life? In the American Government's eyes, they are still making the same amount off you regardless. It's very expensive to become a citizen and I'm not even sure if I'd have the money at the time.

[bowflex 0]

Why? Don't you think it's enough that we pay thousands of dollars just to immigrate, live and work? What's the difference between becoming a citizen or just being a PR for the rest of your life? In the American Government's eyes, they are still making the same amount off you regardless. It's very expensive to become a citizen and I'm not even sure if I'd have the money at the time.

Oh I can definitely agree with the point that if someone doesn't have the necessary means to become a citizen that it's very understandable. I just believe that if someone moves to the States and is actually allowed to do so, which is obviously becoming harder and harder these days, they should go all the way. Completely a personal opinion of course and it's not like I completely disagree with those who choose not to, it's their choice. It's just how I feel and my wife and I have already began putting money towards that specific process when we are able to go for it. We both believe that it's a commitment that should be made

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Danu, I believe that for Germany if you apply for permission you can be allowed to keep your German citizenship as well. I have read of others doing that here - it might be worth investigating.

I don't know if I will have my oath ceremony tomorrow as well or not. Atlanta does do same day oath ceremonies but the ceremonies are at 2 o'clock and people start arriving for them at 1 o'clock. My interview is at 1:05 so I don't know if I will be finished in time for the cut off or not. I suspect I will have a later oath ceremony and not make the same day one just from the logistics of everything.

Thanks for the good wishes - I am going over all of the civics questions again and just hope I don't freeze up on the answers tomorrow!

[bowflex 0]

Danu, I believe that for Germany if you apply for permission you can be allowed to keep your German citizenship as well. I have read of others doing that here - it might be worth investigating.

I don't know if I will have my oath ceremony tomorrow as well or not. Atlanta does do same day oath ceremonies but the ceremonies are at 2 o'clock and people start arriving for them at 1 o'clock. My interview is at 1:05 so I don't know if I will be finished in time for the cut off or not. I suspect I will have a later oath ceremony and not make the same day one just from the logistics of everything.

Thanks for the good wishes - I am going over all of the civics questions again and just hope I don't freeze up on the answers tomorrow!

Judging by your posts just in this thread it seems you've researched the reasons why you're going for citizenship and I have no doubt you're going to do great. You're probably like my wife in that she knows more about the USA than I do now, stupid American public school system haha Great luck to you!

[thetreble 19]

Why? Don't you think it's enough that we pay thousands of dollars just to immigrate, live and work? What's the difference between becoming a citizen or just being a PR for the rest of your life? In the American Government's eyes, they are still making the same amount off you regardless. It's very expensive to become a citizen and I'm not even sure if I'd have the money at the time.

Oh I can definitely agree with the point that if someone doesn't have the necessary means to become a citizen that it's very understandable. I just believe that if someone moves to the States and is actually allowed to do so, which is obviously becoming harder and harder these days, they should go all the way. Completely a personal opinion of course and it's not like I completely disagree with those who choose not to, it's their choice. It's just how I feel and my wife and I have already began putting money towards that specific process when we are able to go for it. We both believe that it's a commitment that should be made

Well, in some ways I agree and just so you know, I do plan on it because I think I would only be making it easier on myself and my family if I became a citizen.

But, you know, it would be easier from an immigration standpoint if the rules weren't structured in a way that you have to be in the country for years to prove you are worthy enough to gain citizenship and pay so much money before you even qualify for it, you know? For example, if I would have had to get some special spousal visa and pay some money there and fill out some documents and go through a process, okay cool, and then in a year I can apply for citizenship or something like that. You get my drift.

[bowflex 0]

Well, in some ways I agree and just so you know, I do plan on it because I think I would only be making it easier on myself and my family if I became a citizen.

But, you know, it would be easier from an immigration standpoint if the rules weren't structured in a way that you have to be in the country for years to prove you are worthy enough to gain citizenship and pay so much money before you even qualify for it, you know? For example, if I would have had to get some special spousal visa and pay some money there and fill out some documents and go through a process, okay cool, and then in a year I can apply for citizenship or something like that. You get my drift.

I could absolutely not agree with you more about the weird structure system they set up for citizenship. I do think, however, it was developed for the backwards citizens of America that think you've got to earn citizenship. I think by all of us who have gone through the process, waited a year or more to get our SO here, and then paying all that money, filling out all those forms, and gathering all that evidence, I think we've shown that it's rather important to us LOL. People too often forget that most people get their citizenship in a country simply by having the luck that their parents decided to have their kid at a certain hospital located on a certain piece of land. That's always funny to me

My wife's family moved to Canada in 2004 from Michigan, waited about 2 years for their case to get approved, so we'll say late 2006 they received their permanent residence status. My wife lived in the USA for 15 years, moved to Canada for 2 1/2 years, and her parents will get their citizenship in Canada first. It's almost hilarious how illogical the system in the US is

[Danu 19]

Danu, I believe that for Germany if you apply for permission you can be allowed to keep your German citizenship as well. I have read of others doing that here - it might be worth investigating.

I don't know if I will have my oath ceremony tomorrow as well or not. Atlanta does do same day oath ceremonies but the ceremonies are at 2 o'clock and people start arriving for them at 1 o'clock. My interview is at 1:05 so I don't know if I will be finished in time for the cut off or not. I suspect I will have a later oath ceremony and not make the same day one just from the logistics of everything.

Thanks for the good wishes - I am going over all of the civics questions again and just hope I don't freeze up on the answers tomorrow!

Problem is I have dual citizenship with Canada by birth. Theres no way they would let me be a tri-citizen.

Good luck with everything for tomorrow though hon! I'm sure you will do just fine!

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

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.

why do you hate canada?