10 months to citizenship. I am going to do it.

[zenaxe 22]

Does that count towards what?

Maybe not outright, but taking citizenship just to get a job or because you think it's a prize, or so you don't have to pay the immigration fees is tantamount to saying it.

Well whatever people's reasons for obtaining citizenship or not are personal ones and whether you or anyone else approves or disproves is irrevelent. Who determines what a good reason is? Who sets the standard?

I'm only in the beginning stages of this whole process but I've been thinking about this. I initially had Italian citizenship and had to give that up to come to Canada and have been since I was a child. I'm definitely considering US citizenship, and while I haven't made any firm decisions, let alone that I'm nowhere near going there anyway, I think there are many benefits ie full protection under the Constitution of the United States, federal job opportunities, increased security with respect to immigration issues, completing and finalizing a long immigration journey, being a formal citizen of one of the greatest countries in the world, and ending the sponsor's responsiblity to name a few.

I would not give up my Canadian citizenship and would be proud to have both Canadian and US.

Edited January 14, 2010 by zenaxe

[Krikit 1,164]

I always find it interesting when people form conclusions based on a few words written in a post when they know nothing of the person or how they conduct their life. It's very narrow-minded. Not to mention unjust.

Then I got married and moved to the USA......NO MORE VOTING FOR ME from 2006-2009...

I got a notice from Elections Canada last year to update me on the list....

I wanted to vote in Canada...

Since I am a citizen of Canada...BUT...I am not a resident of Canada..

THEREFORE I CANNOT VOTE in 2009

Under certain circumstances, Canadians who live outside the country are eligible to vote: Elections Canada

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Missed this exciting thread yesterday

One reason I don't mind becoming an American citizen is that I don't have to give up my Cdn citizenship. I'm not sure I would bother if it meant giving up being Cdn. Convenience is a big thing for me - do I want to be treated like a 2nd class immigrant going every few years for MORE biometrics and photos or even feel like I'm not quite Amerian enough because I don't have citizenship here? Uh...no, so I will become American...like Ant said....I'd like to feel like I belong. I wanted to be eligible for certain benefits and be able to vote in the country that I work hard in (and will fo the next 50 yrs) and pay taxes...just makes sense to me.

I don't feel like carrying my darn GC around in my wallet fo the rest of my life...worrying if my course is stolen that I'm screwed.

For those who get bent about people's reasons...why worry? It takes all kinds and if you chose not to take citizenship, that's cool too.

Now....off to my super busy stupid job

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I certainly don't think that citizenship, as rhiann said "...the ultimate prize for us who went through all those red-taped steps to get here, legally.". I agree that there are certain rights and privelages that come along with citizenship, but those are a reward for undertaking citizenship. The oath asks you to give up allegiance to another national leader. It doesn't ask you to renounce your birthright, it doesn't ask you to spit on your nation of birth. The U.S. recognizes dual citizenship, and reinforced this in the case Kawakita vs. U.S.. The majortiy opinion stated : "a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both. The mere fact he asserts the rights of one citizenship does not without more mean that he renounces the other," (1952).

All I'm saying is that if you want to take citizenship, is it really too much to ask that you take an active role in your new country? Make some effort to be a citizen? I think it's completely disingenuous to take the oath with no intent to try to become a part of the general citizenry.

Ok, I really have no idea where you're going with this. You originally said you wouldn't take up citizenship because of the meaning behind the oath you would be forced to say, fair enough. But now you're suggesting that there is nothing wrong with the oath because there is no practical meaning behind it? And who said anyone wasn't going to be taking an active role in the country? Actually from everyone's posts I've got the feeling that most want to become a citizen so they can take an active role in the American democracy. Making an effort to become a citizen... it takes 3 years of paperwork and struggling with USCIS to get to that point, its not like we show up and have it granted automatically. I know many natural born Americans who don't appreciate their citizenship as much as someone who had to actually work for it!

[warlord 73]

Ok, I really have no idea where you're going with this. You originally said you wouldn't take up citizenship because of the meaning behind the oath you would be forced to say, fair enough. But now you're suggesting that there is nothing wrong with the oath because there is no practical meaning behind it? And who said anyone wasn't going to be taking an active role in the country? Actually from everyone's posts I've got the feeling that most want to become a citizen so they can take an active role in the American democracy. Making an effort to become a citizen... it takes 3 years of paperwork and struggling with USCIS to get to that point, its not like we show up and have it granted automatically. I know many natural born Americans who don't appreciate their citizenship as much as someone who had to actually work for it!

Just voting is taking an active roll. In fact I know so many real true blood Americans that don't even do that or anything else.

I'm a proud American (and yes if I had to chose one or the other, I'd chose American over Canadian anyday for citizenship if it was one or the other), but really, I vote in the Federal Election and that's all I do. I don't vote locally usually for anything, I haven't joined the military to defend the US, I really don't do anything else to be in an active roll. I don't always support what the goverment does (like invading Iraq rather then Afghanistan) and really hated a lot of how Bush handled office when he was in. I didn't even support the president at the time when I became a citizen.

So guess I'm not clear what an active roll is either. I'm just like a lot of other citizens who live our life, do our thing and are proud to say we're Americans and that's about it...

[Sprailenes 47]

As soon as I become a citizen I plan on raising an American flag in my front yard, buying myself a ford truck and having someone airbrush a giant bald eagle on the back, I'll also start saying things like "ya'll" and "huh" and really take an active and serious roll in my citizenship.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Sprailenes

[Sam and Ben 2]

Just voting is taking an active roll. In fact I know so many real true blood Americans that don't even do that or anything else.

I'm a proud American (and yes if I had to chose one or the other, I'd chose American over Canadian anyday for citizenship if it was one or the other), but really, I vote in the Federal Election and that's all I do. I don't vote locally usually for anything, I haven't joined the military to defend the US, I really don't do anything else to be in an active roll. I don't always support what the goverment does (like invading Iraq rather then Afghanistan) and really hated a lot of how Bush handled office when he was in. I didn't even support the president at the time when I became a citizen.

So guess I'm not clear what an active roll is either. I'm just like a lot of other citizens who live our life, do our thing and are proud to say we're Americans and that's about it...

As sad as that is, it's entirely true. I know of too many 'true' citizens who don't take that birthright to heart and vote. I find it incredibly bothersome. I was always proud of my right to vote in Canada, and I will be proud to do so when able here.

I would find it hard to live in a democratic country and not let my voice be heard.

For me, at least, in my mind it's always been expected that I will pursue that last step in this very long process. My moving here was a decision to immerse myself in a life here... that includes all aspects. Will I mean every word about denouncing my Canadian citizenship? Absolutely not. I love Canada, it was my home for many years, and while I don't believe I will ever return, it's still a place that is home. If I could still vote in the local/prov/federal elections, I would.

But I don't think any of that means I would take my oath to the U.S. any more lightly. I don't really see how you can really determine what would be considered an active role in the community/country without finding that many Americans would not even fit easily in there.

I think what Krikit said earlier in the thread bears a lot of weight: Americans and Canadians have very different views about others coming into the country and how they are to conduct their lives from then on.

[JoeCanuk 3]

Under certain circumstances, Canadians who live outside the country are eligible to vote: Elections Canada

You are correct. I voted in the last election. I think the only way you can't is if you aren't going to move back to Canada within the next five years. They cannot prove that you aren't going to move back so basically, you can vote.

[The_Dude 1,142]

FFS, it seems it's take everything I said out of context week? All I meant was that if you take citizenship purely for the ease, and have no intention of actually being a citizen, then you should remain an LPR. Nothing wrong with being a dual citizen, I applaude the effort. But don't think that citizenship is some sort of prize for putting up with immigration for a certain period of time. I'm sorry that I disagree with some people's rationale for taking citizenship. But hey, i'm just some stupid uncouth american, ####### do I know?

[Sprailenes 47]

huh?

sorry rob just practising.

[Krikit 1,164]

FFS, it seems it's take everything I said out of context week? All I meant was that if you take citizenship purely for the ease, and have no intention of actually being a citizen, then you should remain an LPR. Nothing wrong with being a dual citizen, I applaude the effort. But don't think that citizenship is some sort of prize for putting up with immigration for a certain period of time. I'm sorry that I disagree with some people's rationale for taking citizenship. But hey, i'm just some stupid uncouth american, ####### do I know?

I don't think it's the fact that you disagree with some people's rationale. It's that you made the leap, based on a few words, that their intent was something other than what was in their hearts and minds.

[The_Dude 1,142]

lol nev, no worries, i'm used to being looked down on in this forum

[Sprailenes 47]

We only look down on you because we're north of you. Go go DOWN south... not UP.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't think it's the fact that you disagree with some people's rationale. It's that you made the leap, based on a few words, that their intent was something other than what was in their hearts and minds.

Krikit, when I hear people say things like denying that they even took the citizenship when they are back home, or that they are taking the citizenship, but will never consider themselves really an american citizen, it is a little bit of an insult. I now realize that some of the examples and ideas i've mentioned are beyond the scope of this thread alone, that this is more of an aggregate sentiment that i've got from this forum over my time here. I don't mean to insult anyone, but I do feel this general feeling of disdain from most people in this forum for all things american. I understand that this is a canadian sub-forum, I guess the subtle condescending attitude I perceive here gets to me sometimes.

[Krikit 1,164]

I guess you're feeling how we feel with the general feeling of disdain displayed on this site from the Americans for all things non-american. We'll call it a draw.