Why wouldn't you file for citizenship?

[Stein 276]

I didn't want to derail the 48 month extension letter thread but I don't want to move this to the N-400 forum as the people that would answer this question would be reading here and wouldn't be reading there.

 

Of course every person's situation is different but why would a US immigrant NOT want to file for citizenship?  I'm truly curious.  Other than those that simply can't hold dual citizenship I can see several advantages above being a LPR.  I'm curious what people see as disadvantages.

 

At least for me personally, I see several advantages:

 

No more green card renewals which saves money and paperwork.  Can't forget to file which could creep up on you on a 10 year card as it's such a long time.

 

Spouse would potentially get more SS benefits as a widow than working and earning the beneficiary's own.  In my case my wife would never reach my level of benefit even when it is 50% of mine as I'm capped at the SS max benefit.  She won't even work 40 quarters to get any on her own if we move back to her country, which is probably going to happen before 10 years.

 

Potentially getting a more powerful passport.  This might not be the case coming from Europe but coming from SE Asia my wife's passport is weak trying to get to many countries but the benefit of visa-free travel to many SE Asia countries so she could use hers sometime and US sometime.  But if you hold dual citizenship this may not be a benefit but wouldn't be a negative.

 

No risk of loosing a green card if you spend most of your time outside the US, again, as we plan to do in the future.  To be able to come back any time you want even after a multi-year stay outside the US is reassuring.

 

Again, for me, zero disadvantages because my wife will also keep her VN passport and citizenship.  We would still have to file iincome taxes in the US based on worldwide income anyway so, while it isn't a benefit, it isn't a negative either.

Edited January 23, 2023 by Stein

[Crazy Cat 41,731]

You make a good case.  I think LPRs from countries which don't allow dual citizenship would make up the vast majority.  In fact, I can think of no others.

[OldUser 6,563]

16 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You make a good case.  I think LPRs from countries which don't allow dual citizenship would make up the vast majority.  In fact, I can think of no others.

Ultra wealthy individuals who make money in the US but eventually want to get out of US tax net. Renouncing citizenship is more expensive (exit tax plus fees) than giving up LPR. It's a super small percentage of LPRs though. Same goes for somebody with political ambition back in their own country. While that country may allow dual citizenship, it may block a lot of opportunities if one naturalizes in US. Again, super small percentage.

 

There's also some percentage of those who would not pass N-400 due to good moral character and have to postpone it by 5 years.

Edited January 23, 2023 by OldUser

[Stein 276]

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You make a good case.  I think LPRs from countries which don't allow dual citizenship would make up the vast majority.  In fact, I can think of no others.

I didn't want to call out anyone specifically but a couple of responses said they didn't want to, not that they couldn't.  That is what made me think about it.

[Crazy Cat 41,731]

3 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Ultra wealthy individuals who make money in the US but eventually want to get out of US tax net. Renouncing citizenship is more expensive (exit tax plus fees) than giving up LPR. It's a super small percentage of LPRs though. Same goes for somebody with political ambition back in their own country. While that country may allow dual citizenship, it may block a lot of opportunities if one naturalizes in US. Again, super small percentage.

All good points.  Thanks.

[OldUser 6,563]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

All good points.  Thanks.

I also forgot the ones who are perhaps in their 50s and up, aren't proficient in English and aren't eligible for exclusion (weren't LPRs 15/20 years)

[Daphne . 1,852]

8 minutes ago, Stein said:

I didn't want to call out anyone specifically but a couple of responses said they didn't want to, not that they couldn't.  That is what made me think about it.

I am one of those people. I can have dual citizenship but have no interest in becoming a US Citizen. My reason is that the US doesn’t feel like my home and I don’t feel any connection to it, so don’t feel like a citizen anyway. I want to keep that distance (and yes, I am aware that this will mean dealing with USCIS for the rest of my life :)) . I am a Dutch citizen and will always only stay a Dutch citizen. 
My reasons might make no sense to other people, but I feel very strongly about them. 

[usmsbow 801]

32 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

You make a good case.  I think LPRs from countries which don't allow dual citizenship would make up the vast majority.  In fact, I can think of no others.

Yes, that's why my wife was thinking of passing on citizenship. Indonesia doesn't allow dual citizenship for adults, and only citizens can only own property there. She ultimately decided the benefits from becoming a US citizen outweighed any upside to remaining an Indonesian citizen.

 

Another reason is if one has family pressure to sponsor relatives for immigrant visas. One way to avoid that pressure is to not become a citizen. It might sound trivial, but as many threads can attest, some families are really pushy about that kind of thing!

 

 

[carmel34 3,618]

19 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

I am a Dutch citizen and will always only stay a Dutch citizen. 
My reasons might make no sense to other people, but I feel very strongly about them.

I had an aunt from Canada who felt the same way.  She married a US citizen and lived the rest of her life in the US as an LPR (58 years), and died in the US as a proud Canadian citizen.  She knew she could be a dual citizen but didn't want to do it.

[Mike E 11,739]

57 minutes ago, Stein said:

Of course every person's situation is different but why would a US immigrant NOT want to file for citizenship?

 

[Moe428 129]

You have listed the advantages, but let me list a couple more disadvantages:

 

1.  No need to perform jury duty

2.  If you ever need to permanently leave the US and are OK with losing your GC, not getting US citizenship is a better option.

 

There is one other advantage to be aware of, and that is being able to sponsor your parents or siblings (parent sponsorship is quite fast). 

I am still on the fence about applying myself.

 

 

[Rearviewmirror 397]

It makes me a bit sad that people don't value voting more.

[OldUser 6,563]

2 minutes ago, Rearviewmirror said:

It makes me a bit sad that people don't value voting more.

That would be a very interesting subject to discuss as an off-topic. I remember naturalizing in one of the developed European countries and voting for the first time. The ballots printed on a cheap b&w printer on A4, cut into 4 pieces with pencil to make selection and no citizenship verification (no passport was asked). The ballots were dropped into a cheap black plastic bin. It looked even less credible than voting in one of the developing countries of my origin. At least there the ballots were watermarked, printed on expensive paper and passport was checked to ensure I had right to vote. Oh well...

[Noname93 200]

I'm another case of no dual citizenship. If I was allowed dual citizenship I'd apply in a heartbeat. Well actually, I'd wait the extra 7 months to apply under the 5 year rule and save on printer ink. There's just no way I could give up my EU citizenship, especially since I can pass it on to my children.

Edited January 23, 2023 by Noname93

[MarryMe987654 244]

I plan on becoming a USC only because I don't want any miniscule threat of being taken away from my husband--that's all.

 

If it's not for that, I don't think I'll want to be a citizen out of patriotism. The U.S. is great and all, and the Philippines has issues, but it will always be home. Prior to actually applying for naturalization, the idea of renouncing my Filipino citizenship does hurt.

 

I honestly do not mind the paperwork anymore. I'm not concerned about having a "weak passport," because I've traveled extensively and am satisfied. I'm not entirely sold on SSS benefits because I can earn and save money on my own. My point is that all the advantages that you mention are not really much of a big deal because, as an immigrant, I am surrounded by people that look and sound nothing like me.

 

The emotional toll of constantly missing my family and homeland cannot be compensated for by the convenience of dual citizenship, but it's a choice I made because cupid got me good. Lol.

 

And I know I am lucky to have the option of dual citizenship, but it's not quite the same, to be honest. I will always have that American last name, and when I am in the Philippines, they look at me funny for having an American name (I experienced this last year when I traveled home). Then I have to explain why, and I know that I am judged just based on that small backstory.

Edited January 23, 2023 by MarryMe987654