Any UK folks NOT applying for US citizenship?

[Lansbury 19]

My only reason for filing for Citizenship is the job opportunities this would open for me. Basically I want to work for people who only employ US citizens right now. I have a few years to make this decision yet, but this is basically the only reason I would take US Citizenship, for the job.

Yes that is a very good reason. I lost a good job offer because I needed a security clearance and was told "non citizens cannot get a security clearance". When I said I already had US security clearance to a higher level than was required for the job and that could be verified they stuck to they would only employ US citizens, nothing in the job requirements about that mind you.

It was the only job I found in my field of expertise which wasn't Federal.

[lizaanne 0]

I never considered the job aspect, though I doubt that would ever apply for Simon, he works for a non-profit Catholic apostolate as a webmaster/writer. I don't think he would be applying for any government jobs any time soon. Interesting thing to know though, for future reference anyway.

I wonder though, now that I think about it, if being married to a non-citizen would ever impact ME getting a security clearance? There is always a possibility of me working on a government/military contract, either for the US or other countries - the company I work for has clients all over the world and here that are government and military. Hmmmm - something I never considered before!

~Liza

[Jennymc11 2]

Rich has always said he won't become a citizen because we thought he would have to give up his British citizenship. I guess we are wrong and really should do more research. If I had to give up my American citizenship to become a British citizen I don't think there is any way I could do it!

[Lizzy 0]

No i shall not be applying for it, my daughter and the little one on the way will be.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Frankly, with the way things might go in the country, I wouldn't mind Tim having the protections of citizenship since, though there are standards, there is always the chance - no matter how remote - of removal. Even mistakenly ordered. But that's just the effects of watching too many dystopian films and worrying about the growth of Big Brother, etc.

(oh, and as for jobs non-citizens can't have: most peace officer positions fall in that category - so nothing in the law enforcement field in most jurisdictions.)

[Dr_LHA 3]

Lizzy, surely the one on the way will automatically be a US citizen. I presume he/she will be born in the USA.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Frankly, with the way things might go in the country, I wouldn't mind Tim having the protections of citizenship since, though there are standards, there is always the chance - no matter how remote - of removal. Even mistakenly ordered. But that's just the effects of watching too many dystopian films and worrying about the growth of Big Brother, etc.

If the USA becomes so totalitarian that they start deporting people for not being US citizens or minor infractions, I wouldn't want to stay here anyway. If it was just for "being foriegn" I doubt being naturalised would help, it didn't help Japanese Americans in the WW2 after all did it?

[TimsDaisy 0]

Frankly, with the way things might go in the country, I wouldn't mind Tim having the protections of citizenship since, though there are standards, there is always the chance - no matter how remote - of removal. Even mistakenly ordered. But that's just the effects of watching too many dystopian films and worrying about the growth of Big Brother, etc.

If the USA becomes so totalitarian that they start deporting people for not being US citizens or minor infractions, I wouldn't want to stay here anyway. If it was just for "being foriegn" I doubt being naturalised would help, it didn't help Japanese Americans in the WW2 after all did it?

I'm not worried about him being removed BECAUSE he's not a citizen, but more that, as happened frequently in the 20s and 30s (hmm, every time the economy gets extra rocky) in LA, etc, people who outwardly indicated that they weren't American (brown, accents) were rounded up and driven back to Mexico - even if they were US citizens, if they couldn't prove it, back they went.

Tim had/has a hard time understanding that over here you MUST carry a drivers license with you. How will I get him to remember the GC and other proof of his legal presence?

These are way far-out worries, sure, but they'll always be there in the back of my mind.

In WW2 the Japanese Americans weren't removed to Japan - not that it makes what happened to them okay.

[TracyTN 237]

Tim had/has a hard time understanding that over here you MUST carry a drivers license with you. How will I get him to remember the GC and other proof of his legal presence?

Hmm strange. I told Chas that he should carry his DL with him. He said, 'Ok, I will.' He grasped the concept instantly and doesn't see it as a of hardship.

I don't understand how being a US citizen somehow makes one less of an Englishman.

[no name 1]

I'm not worried about him being removed BECAUSE he's not a citizen, but more that, as happened frequently in the 20s and 30s (hmm, every time the economy gets extra rocky) in LA, etc, people who outwardly indicated that they weren't American (brown, accents) were rounded up and driven back to Mexico - even if they were US citizens, if they couldn't prove it, back they went.

Tim had/has a hard time understanding that over here you MUST carry a drivers license with you. How will I get him to remember the GC and other proof of his legal presence?

These are way far-out worries, sure, but they'll always be there in the back of my mind.

In WW2 the Japanese Americans weren't removed to Japan - not that it makes what happened to them okay.

That WAS the 20 & 30s, not now. I think things are different now - with the internets & all.

You need to carry ID in England too, to get into clubs/pubs/driving, etc. He;'s a grown man who surely can carry a wallet with no problems!

[Lansbury 19]

If the USA becomes so totalitarian that they start deporting people for not being US citizens or minor infractions, I wouldn't want to stay here anyway. If it was just for "being foriegn" I doubt being naturalised would help, it didn't help Japanese Americans in the WW2 after all did it?

When I was at Heathrow part of my job was to interview Brits who had been deported back to the UK.

Met a guy 45 years old who had been deported from the US. He had served 6 months in jail for some business fraud, couldn't have been too serious for that short a sentence. Anyway when he got released he was promptly deported. The thing that got me was his parents had immigrated to the US when he was 6 months old and he had lived here all his live as good as. He knew no-one in the UK but back he was sent.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I suppose it's possible to commit serious white collar crime and not get a long sentence.

I'm curious about reasons why other people would get deported from the US!

[mawilson 2,133]

Tim won't. Because he's an Englishman.

One great thing about America is that you can be an Englishman, an Irishman,

a Burundi man for all I care - and still be American at the same time.

[Lou Lou 1]

I don't understand how being a US citizen somehow makes one less of an Englishman.

I'm wondering that too. If someone asks me I'm always gonna say I'm English no matter how many passports I have. I'd feel a bit fake saying I was American. Plus I think my accent may give me away.

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I'm only getting citizenship as there's a very strong chance I'm gonna be in the abandonment of GC category in a few years time, and quite frankly the fuss and nonsense it's taken to get it all and get to this stage, there's no way I'm gonna ####### it up by having to do it over again.

I'm also being completely practical. Who knows what could happen to either of us. I want to be free and able to come and go, and one day it may not be with the ole man by my side. So having citizenship is purely for the passport and the freedom to live and travel here when I want. OH will do the same the other side when he has the chance. It's like a lil extra gift to each other.

[selly 0]

My opinion is very much along the lines of 'I know I'm an Englishman, my family know I'm an Englishman and as soon as I say something to anyone, they too know I'm an Englishman'. The fact I may have decided (in the future) to have taken US citizenship will not change my identity, I will remain who I am.

The main reason for taking citizenship for me will be the security. I have read stories, albeit in the media, about people being refused renewals on their green card because of supposed complaints for threatening behaviour etc. If my chance of staying with my loved one was to be jeapordised by a grudge or hearsay, I would want to remove the risk as quickly as possible, if that means taking citizenship at the earliest opportunity then so be it. As I said I will still be the same guy with the same character and those that know me will not see me as any different.

I think the post from earlier about it being a very personal decision was spot on, we each will have our very own reasons one way or the other. I fully agree with Dr Lha that employment is a big determining factor if your proffessional skills fall in to the security cleared area. It is a shame that there is very little flexibility in this area for the US to take advantage of the talent on their own doorstep that they are deneying themselves but for want of a citizen only security clearance.