Will you become a U.S. Citizen?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Like Cassie and Karen and a few of the other Canadians have said, I will be applying for US citizenship to gain the freedom from USCIS and the flexibility of living wherever we want without losing all that I have put into this journey so far. I also believe that if I am paying taxes I want a say in how those taxes are spent so I want the right to vote - and although I don't see it happening - holding an elected office. I want the freedom to be able to work at any job for which I am qualified - many of which happen to be open only to US citizens. If, however, I had to give up my Canadian citizenship to do it, I wouldn't. I would keep paying the money to USCIS to keep the green card valid. Thank heavens for dual citizenship!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

No. Living there and loving and American doesn't make me one. Apart from that - my country does not allow dual citizenship and I certainly want to keep mine. We may be moving back there in a few years after all...

Germany allows dual citizenship for its own citizens as long as you fill out a form beforehand with the German embassy explaining why you do not want to give up your German citizenship. They also offer it for children of German parentage. My daughter is a dual citizen. However, I have no right to it as an American if I wanted German citizenship. Ridiculous, I think, but whatever. PR status isn't that bad.

Edited February 29, 2008 by Wacken

[luv2teach77 41]

I will probably apply for citizenship but it might not be for a few years after I am eligible. I hate to say it but just like many of the other posters, one of my main reasons for wanting to apply for citizenship is to be done with the USCIS. I don't relish the $600+ fee but to just be done with all the paperwork will be great. In addition, the ability to vote and extend my job opportunities is also very attractive but if there was a way to gain those benfits without requiring citizenship, that would also be an attractive option. I'm in no real hurry because I won't be able to vote in the upcoming election so don't really need the naturalization process completed until I need to be able to vote in 2012.

I am very proud of my British roots and wouldn't even consider citizenship if it meant giving up my British citizenship. The fact that I can hold both UK and US passports makes the decision easier for me than for some others and I'm thankful for that. I always tell people that my move to the US was because of the my deep rooted love for an American, not a deep rooted love OF America and that is why becoming a US citizen is not something I have dreamed of for many years.

Mark

[iansig40 1]

I will probably apply for citizenship but it might not be for a few years after I am eligible. I hate to say it but just like many of the other posters, one of my main reasons for wanting to apply for citizenship is to be done with the USCIS. I don't relish the $600+ fee but to just be done with all the paperwork will be great. In addition, the ability to vote and extend my job opportunities is also very attractive but if there was a way to gain those benfits without requiring citizenship, that would also be an attractive option. I'm in no real hurry because I won't be able to vote in the upcoming election so don't really need the naturalization process completed until I need to be able to vote in 2012.

I am very proud of my British roots and wouldn't even consider citizenship if it meant giving up my British citizenship. The fact that I can hold both UK and US passports makes the decision easier for me than for some others and I'm thankful for that. I always tell people that my move to the US was because of the my deep rooted love for an American, not a deep rooted love OF America and that is why becoming a US citizen is not something I have dreamed of for many years.

Mark

Same here ,I will stay Canadian for the rest of my life

[IrinaNMike 0]

EU Visa requirements are driving the decision for us. To visit France this spring, my wife, who has a green card and a Russian passport, had to go to San Francisco to be fingerprinted at the French Consulate. Total cost for two (airline tickets, meals, hotel, and fees): over $900. This is for a single 3-week tourist visa, not anything fancy. As a US citizen, she could have gone to France without a visa. That is pretty much a no-brainer for us. She will apply for US citizenship on the day she becomes eligible.

[iansig40 1]

EU Visa requirements are driving the decision for us. To visit France this spring, my wife, who has a green card and a Russian passport, had to go to San Francisco to be fingerprinted at the French Consulate. Total cost for two (airline tickets, meals, hotel, and fees): over $900. This is for a single 3-week tourist visa, not anything fancy. As a US citizen, she could have gone to France without a visa. That is pretty much a no-brainer for us. She will apply for US citizenship on the day she becomes eligible.

Yes ...you have no choice because her passport won't take her to far but for the rest of us ,Australians,British,Canadians,Dutch...just to name some I don't think we really need it

Of course it's your choice to decide what passport you're flashing !

[Sister Fracas 5]

EU Visa requirements are driving the decision for us. To visit France this spring, my wife, who has a green card and a Russian passport, had to go to San Francisco to be fingerprinted at the French Consulate. Total cost for two (airline tickets, meals, hotel, and fees): over $900. This is for a single 3-week tourist visa, not anything fancy. As a US citizen, she could have gone to France without a visa. That is pretty much a no-brainer for us. She will apply for US citizenship on the day she becomes eligible.

Yes ...you have no choice because her passport won't take her to far but for the rest of us ,Australians,British,Canadians,Dutch...just to name some I don't think we really need it

Of course it's your choice to decide what passport you're flashing !

You know, you've made it abundantly clear that you have no interest in pursuing US citizenship and that you don't want to pay anymore fees to USCIS (nevermind that you'll still have to deal with them for as long as you live in the states, no matter what your British friend does.) Now it seems that you are trying to say that it only makes sense for individuals from certain countries. I don't know why it bothers you so much what others want to do. So other people want to pay a fee to finally be done with USCIS...so what??? Why do you continue to make digs at people for not having the "proper reasons" for pursuing citizenship? Your posts always show, to me, that you have a big chip on your shoulder. Well guess what, we are all angry/annoyed/frustrated, to different degrees, not just you, but that doesn't mean we have to start picking apart other's decisions.

[Mrs.J06 4]

I will only apply if Germany allows me dual citizenship.

If not, I shall remain German.

[iansig40 1]

EU Visa requirements are driving the decision for us. To visit France this spring, my wife, who has a green card and a Russian passport, had to go to San Francisco to be fingerprinted at the French Consulate. Total cost for two (airline tickets, meals, hotel, and fees): over $900. This is for a single 3-week tourist visa, not anything fancy. As a US citizen, she could have gone to France without a visa. That is pretty much a no-brainer for us. She will apply for US citizenship on the day she becomes eligible.

Yes ...you have no choice because her passport won't take her to far but for the rest of us ,Australians,British,Canadians,Dutch...just to name some I don't think we really need it

Of course it's your choice to decide what passport you're flashing !

You know, you've made it abundantly clear that you have no interest in pursuing US citizenship and that you don't want to pay anymore fees to USCIS (nevermind that you'll still have to deal with them for as long as you live in the states, no matter what your British friend does.) Now it seems that you are trying to say that it only makes sense for individuals from certain countries. I don't know why it bothers you so much what others want to do. So other people want to pay a fee to finally be done with USCIS...so what??? Why do you continue to make digs at people for not having the "proper reasons" for pursuing citizenship? Your posts always show, to me, that you have a big chip on your shoulder. Well guess what, we are all angry/annoyed/frustrated, to different degrees, not just you, but that doesn't mean we have to start picking apart other's decisions.

And...you problem is ?????

I really don't care either you want to apply or not for US Citizenship and I think I'm aloud to write whatever I want

Just ignore my comments if you don't like them

[Sister Fracas 5]

And...you problem is ?????

I really don't care either you want to apply or not for US Citizenship and I think I'm aloud to write whatever I want

Just ignore my comments if you don't like them

Yeah, you aloud alright...

Just calling 'em how I see 'em

BTW, I AM a US citzen.

[iansig40 1]

And...you problem is ?????

I really don't care either you want to apply or not for US Citizenship and I think I'm aloud to write whatever I want

Just ignore my comments if you don't like them

Yeah, you aloud alright...

Just calling 'em how I see 'em

BTW, I AM a US citzen.

Good for you !!!!

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

My husband (a UKC) is applying as soon as he possibly can (20 May 2010, but who's counting?). He considers himself an American (or at least one in training) already, and having the citizenship will seal this. I had to talk him out of formally renouncing his British citizenship; although he professes no desire to ever live in the UK or even Europe again, I stressed to him the benefits of having a non-US passport for some travel and work purposes.

[Peter T 0]

My husband (a UKC) (...) professes no desire to ever live in the UK or even Europe again

His reasons would be interesting for me. Could you elaborate why?

[iansig40 1]

My husband (a UKC) (...) professes no desire to ever live in the UK or even Europe again

His reasons would be interesting for me. Could you elaborate why?

Yes, that will be interesting to know. These days is always better to have a backup place ...just in case and Europe is not that bad either

[bettenan 1]

My husband (a UKC) is applying as soon as he possibly can (20 May 2010, but who's counting?). He considers himself an American (or at least one in training) already, and having the citizenship will seal this. I had to talk him out of formally renouncing his British citizenship; although he professes no desire to ever live in the UK or even Europe again, I stressed to him the benefits of having a non-US passport for some travel and work purposes.

Richard has no interest in returning to the UK either, not even to visit. I would love to see where he "came from" and I suspect eventually we will make the journey there, but it won't be anytime soon.