Advantages / Disadvantages of becoming a US Citizen.

[craftercool 7]

Hi there community!

Well, the title says it all, recently I got my conditions removed and now a have a Green Card that's good for the next 10 years, and that was thanks to this forum, thank you, thank you, thank you very much!! 

 

So now my options are:

• Stay as a law-abiding permanent resident (green card holder) for... who knows? It may be forever.
• Start studying and preparing everything to become a US Citizen.

 

But I wanted to ask for an honest opinion on what advantages (and disadvantages) comes with it, can't wait to read y'all answers. Peace 👍

 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

I think a lot of that answer depends where you come from, given that (unlikely as it is) a green card can be revoked and it is not a permanent guarantee to remain in the US. For us, having a stable developed country with a good higher education system (for the kids) and with the bonus of a passport that doesn’t require visas to go just about everywhere like our home country one, was a big incentive to naturalize. If I came from a Western European country or Australia or Canada, I would not have the same incentives. 

 

Edited November 26, 2019 by SusieQQQ

[wbeem 568]

For me, it's about the stability.  As @SusieQQQ stated, it eliminates any concerns of a threat to your ability to be here.  For me, it's not about the US or the citizenship so much. It's about being with my husband, the center of my universe, and knowing that nothing can interfere with us being together. 

 

The more practical 'little things' side of it is just how much less hassle it is when you don't have to prove legal status. There are things my husband does in everyday life and he is not subject to as many screenings or additional information requirements based on his status.  

One of several examples: We have just gone through a real estate deal and he was a little taken aback that even though he signed security and responsibility for the loan in his sole name, I had to submit REAMS of paperwork before they would even look at our case. 

 

Your miles may vary and are no lesser for having different reasons for being here. Therefore I would suggest determining the biggest reason being here in the US is most important to you and then figure out from there whether citizenship adds any advantage or not. 

[RalphT 13]

For me, definitely don't have to worry about renewing green cards or if my green card will be revoked.  Most importantly as citizen i get to vote!

[little immigrant 801]

Remember you have to file taxes on your world wide income. That might be a disadvantage. 

[craftercool 7]

1 minute ago, little immigrant said:

Remember you have to file taxes on your world wide income. That might be a disadvantage. 

I've heard that, also as a citizen jury duty letters start coming in the mail, and... I don't really feel comfortable having to choose if a man loses his freedom or keeps it. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

51 minutes ago, little immigrant said:

Remember you have to file taxes on your world wide income. That might be a disadvantage. 

You have to do this as an LPR anyway.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

48 minutes ago, craftercool said:

I've heard that, also as a citizen jury duty letters start coming in the mail, and... I don't really feel comfortable having to choose if a man loses his freedom or keeps it. 

That’s an important reason to consider not becoming a citizen then. You are right, jury duty is one of the responsibilities of being a citizen.

[MohU3 57]

As a citizen, there's no limit of staying outside the US Vs. GC holder you can't stay outside the US for more than 6 months unless you have a re-entry permit. US citizens have guaranteed admission at the borders. That's one advantage.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

@MohU3, it’s one year, not 6 months, before you need a re-entry permit. 

[medgomaa 1]

@SusieQQQ to be specific 6 months with no warning. From 6 months to 1 year no need for re-entry permit, but you will be issued a warning. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 minute ago, medgomaa said:

@SusieQQQ to be specific 6 months with no warning. From 6 months to 1 year no need for re-entry permit, but you will be issued a warning. 

There is no "will" be issued a warning. You MAY be asked about it and issued a warning. The problem with 6 months is more about continuous residence for n400. Anyway it's irrelevant for OP, whose question was about naturalizing versus just living with a green card in the US, not the broader advantages vs disadvantages.

[craftercool 7]

Ok so far I've got this:

 

Disadvantages:

• Start being requested to attend jury duty

Advantages:

• Guaranteed admission at the borders
• GC's can be revoked
• The right to vote
• No limit of staying outside the US

So, those a pretty good reasons to change my status to US citizen, uhm... does anyone know about that thing of applying 30 days before the day I became a resident, or was it 60 days? I don't know, but I heard something like that.

 

[Starkilla09 366]

16 hours ago, craftercool said:

Ok so far I've got this:

 

Disadvantages:

• Start being requested to attend jury duty

Advantages:

• Guaranteed admission at the borders
• GC's can be revoked
• The right to vote
• No limit of staying outside the US

So, those a pretty good reasons to change my status to US citizen, uhm... does anyone know about that thing of applying 30 days before the day I became a resident, or was it 60 days? I don't know, but I heard something like that.

 

The main advantages are the right to vote, have extended stay out of U.S. as long as you wish, serve in a jury, run for public office, work for the federal government, protection from deportation, ability to petition for your parents, siblings and married adult children, carry U.S. passport and enjoy visa free travel to 184 countries.

 

The main disadvantage is reporting requirement on your worldwide income even outside the U.S. (same reporting requirement also applies to lawful permanent residents though) and the second is loss of former citizenship if your country doesn’t recognize dual citizenship like Japan and India.

 

I lost my Cameroonian citizenship once I got naturalized as a U.S. citizen because my country doesn’t support dual nationality. I made the choice though for all the aforementioned reasons especially the visa free convenience. I do a lot of vacation abroad and was sick of spending money on visa application fees with my former weak passport.

 

I now apply for visas to visit home and can only stay temporarily but well I can live with that anyway. Besides I no longer feel left out from my American spouse and kid. Now as for your eligibility you can apply as early as 90 days prior to your 3rd anniversary of being a lawful permanent resident. 

 

 

 

[USAjune2016 101]

Interesting topic! Thanks everyone for sharing your opinions, Why almost everybody is saying a green card can be revoked? is that very common? other than the fact you can't stay abroad for too long or give up your residency here. So If I have a 10 years greencard and I bought a house or started a business I could simply lose my status and lose everything?