Why don't people naturalize?

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

I, family and many friends use both passports and will forever do... it's great.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

It's easy to become a US citizen if you can keep your old citizenship. The ultimate test comes when one has to give it up or if it is being taken away. I would have naturalized either way and find this is actually a good test one can take for themselves when considering naturalization:

Would I want to become a U.S. citizen if that would make me a foreigner in my former country of citizenship?

P.S.

Gary,

so you think it's okay to commit a crime if "they" don't find out? Is that only for white collar crimes like document fraud and false claim of citizenship or do you extend it also to violent crimes like rape, bank robbery and murder?

If Alla naturalizes in the U.S. she automatically loses her Ukrainian citizenship. If she the uses her de facto invalid Ukrainian passport posing as a Ukrainian citizen, she is committing a felony. And that's okay if they don't find out?

[newlyweds2010 208]

It's easy to become a US citizen if you can keep your old citizenship. The ultimate test comes when one has to give it up or if it is being taken away. I would have naturalized either way and find this is actually a good test one can take for themselves when considering naturalization:

Would I want to become a U.S. citizen if that would make me a foreigner in my former country of citizenship?

P.S.

Gary,

so you think it's okay to commit a crime if "they" don't find out? Is that only for white collar crimes like document fraud and false claim of citizenship or do you extend it also to violent crimes like rape, bank robbery and murder?

If Alla naturalizes in the U.S. she automatically loses her Ukrainian citizenship. If she the uses her de facto invalid Ukrainian passport posing as a Ukrainian citizen, she is committing a felony. And that's okay if they don't find out?

Thank you

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I agree in part. Stating that "Even if the home country does not allow dual citizenship, the US does not tell them you have become a US citizen" implies that, even if you are from one of those countries, you can get away with it and keep and use both passports (clear violation of the foreign law). It's not a matter of knowing the specific law of the specific country, it's more of a general statement that we know for sure is against the law in certain countries. Also, as other members wrote in the past, some people who thought to be smart and keep both, got in serious trouble with the law.

I don't disagree with anything you've said. It's perfectly appropriate for members to admonish someone who suggests that someone else violate the laws of another country, and advise them of the possible consequences if they do. It's just that you mentioned the VJ terms of service, and I don't think the TOS should apply to foreign laws in any way, shape, or form. If they did then there would be a helluva lot of stuff we wouldn't be allowed to say here. For example, and just off the top of my head, I wouldn't be able to make a statement that was critical of the Chinese government because, even though it's perfectly legal in the US to make such a statement, it's illegal in China. The situation could rapidly get out of hand with members accusing other members of saying, doing, or recommending someone else say or do something that's illegal in another country. I don't think the moderators want the burden of being the international cyber police. I think the TOS is fine the way it is.

As an addendum, if I did say something critical of the Chinese government, and stated that I was planning a holiday to see the Great Wall, I would hope other VJ members would have the sense and courage to tell me to keep my mouth shut while I'm in China.

[jaycali 415]

I'm moving to the US to be with my wife, not to escape a criminal, crime ridden place with wages below $1 a day.

I would see keeping my citizenship as an insurance policy really. Norway has a better safety net. Overall much better minimum wages, better social services, and a labor shortage (getting a job is as easy as sending in a job application).

I love the US though, and for now, we've decided to live and settle in the US. I speak English fluently and she speaks no Norwegian. Also, I've lived in the US for about 7 years before we got married so the adjustment process is already long gone on my part.

If my wife and I ever decided to move to Norway, or any EU country for that matter, it would be a whole lot easier if i'm still a citizen.

Unfortunately, Norway does not allow dual citizenship, so when i'm eligible for naturalization it will be a very difficult decision.

Edited February 9, 2012 by jhsm85