Why don't people naturalize?

[visapetition 2]

According to the "Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010" report released by DHS recently, in 2010 there were 12.6 million Legal Permanent Residents living in the U.S., out of which 8.1 were eligible for naturalization (and presumably decided not to naturalize).

What possible reasons can people have for not naturalizing when they can? Also, does it affect how fast the things are going for those of us waiting to get a Family-Based Visa and a green card?

Source: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_lpr_pe_2010.pdf

Edited November 2, 2011 by visapetition

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

Well, most of these petition filed the say the last 2-4 years were submitted by lprs who are new hence isnt elegible for citizenship. Most spend way too long overseas which makes it appear their roads won't end. Few have background issues... The reasons can go on who LPRs are not US Citizens

[Inky 1,110]

Some people don't want to pay american tax for the rest of their lives even if they move out of the country permanently later in the lives. So they don't naturalize.

Not naturalizing has nothing to do with other people getting LPR/green card or visas.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

According to the "Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010" report released by DHS recently, in 2010 there were 12.6 million Legal Permanent Residents living in the U.S., out of which 8.1 were eligible for naturalization (and presumably decided not to naturalize).

What possible reasons can people have for not naturalizing when they can? Also, does it affect how fast the things are going for those of us waiting to get a Family-Based Visa and a green card?

Source: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_lpr_pe_2010.pdf

Main reasons could be: country of origin does not recognize dual citizenship and benefits people might have would be lost. Another important reason is $$, it's relatively expensive and time consuming for what is perceived as not a significant gain over just LPR (eg. "only thing to gain is the right to vote"; there are other real 'gains', but not everyone would see those as gains.

Yet another reason is that every case is different, and I suspect that a number of cases are complex enough that they require attorneys.

Finally, IMO, fear is another one: people are just afraid to stir the pot, it might be just aprehension to have anything to do with the government, to real fear that something is discovered that can reverse status. Might sound silly to some, but it is not such for many.

I'm not sure it makes any difference for the Family-based visas/GC except in that USCIS have limited resources and they can't tend to all at same time, thus the long waits; exacerbated by the 'quotas' in place and the high demand of people wanting to move here.

[Little_My 463]

And some people move here because they fell in love with an American - not because they want to become an American. For many it's a personal issue - not identifying yourself as an American, even though you live here more or less permanently. I can't see myself identifying as anything but Finnish, even if I chose to naturalize one day. America is an interesting place in that sense - if my husband and I moved to Finland, and he was there as a permanent resident, no one would assume that he was going to get citizenship and/or identify himself as Finnish. However, in America, permanent residents are often expected to eventually naturalize if they can, and subsequently "become American" as a result. I personally think this is the only country where it is not only common, but natural, to take on a new national identity, even at adult age, and I find this to be a very fascinating issue.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Little_My

[SaysWho 3]

According to the "Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010" report released by DHS recently, in 2010 there were 12.6 million Legal Permanent Residents living in the U.S., out of which 8.1 were eligible for naturalization (and presumably decided not to naturalize).

What possible reasons can people have for not naturalizing when they can? Also, does it affect how fast the things are going for those of us waiting to get a Family-Based Visa and a green card?

Source: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_lpr_pe_2010.pdf

I have recently applied for Naturalization, but it was a very difficult decision for me. Even though I can have dual citizenship, the Oath for US Citizenship requires that I "absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen". I love the US and have no problem pledging my loyalty, but it was a very big deal for me to decide that I could completely renounce the equally good country that was my home for over 50 years. I had a Citizenship that I was very happy with and I had legal residency here that I didn't forsee any problem with renewing every 10 years, but it seemed to matter a great deal to my husband, so I began the moral deliberation about being able to take the Oath.

I am sure there may be many other reasons people have for not Naturalizing(including the high cost of filing the N-400), but I have read of many, many other people here on VJ that had the same difficulty with the Oath that I did.

Annie

[Yagisama 93]

My wife is not planning to apply for US Citizenship since Japan does not recognize dual citizens.

We plan to stay in Japan for extended periods (6 months) in the future and I plan to get a spouse visa.

[joonphon 7]

If you're talking about refugees.. the language barrier would be the reason, learning about the US history... and also be able to write a few sentences in English during the testing.

[skiptex 225]

According to the "Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010" report released by DHS recently, in 2010 there were 12.6 million Legal Permanent Residents living in the U.S., out of which 8.1 were eligible for naturalization (and presumably decided not to naturalize).

two words

JURY DUTY

[Nina~ 431]

two words

JURY DUTY

If that is true, then America is probably better off because we certainly do not need citizens who don't take pride in doing their civic duty. However, I am sure that is not the case because there are certainly other ways to avoid jury duty.

[skiptex 225]

If that is true, then America is probably better off because we certainly do not need citizens who don't take pride in doing their civic duty. However, I am sure that is not the case because there are certainly other ways to avoid jury duty.

it was really just a joke answer.. but then its not a joke if i have to explain it..

[MalaysianGirl 26]

When I was with my ex-fiance (a USC) I told him that I didn't think I could ever become a US citizen, not because I have anything against being one, but because I love being Malaysian. It is my country, where I was born and raised, and despite how stupid my government can be, I love my country. Also, Malaysia does not recognize dual citizenship, and if I did renounce my citizenship and later decide I want to become Malaysian again, I would find it INCREDIBLY difficult. Gaining Malaysian citizenship is very tough; ask any PRs here and they would tell you that.

Edited November 3, 2011 by MalaysianGirl

[jkelly07 120]

some permanent resident card holders, don't want to be us citizens, because of being deported, they have a criminal history,sex offenders,murders,drug dealers,offenders.they won't file for citizenship they know they will be denied.possible sent back to your country,

[jelaru 6]

According to the "Estimates of the Legal Permanent Resident Population in 2010" report released by DHS recently, in 2010 there were 12.6 million Legal Permanent Residents living in the U.S., out of which 8.1 were eligible for naturalization (and presumably decided not to naturalize).

What possible reasons can people have for not naturalizing when they can? Also, does it affect how fast the things are going for those of us waiting to get a Family-Based Visa and a green card?

Source: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/statistics/publications/ois_lpr_pe_2010.pdf

My husband said he hasn't filed for naturalization yet because he wants to do it when we're(me and the kids) there with him..we'll be doing it all together

[Yagisama 93]

it was really just a joke answer.. but then its not a joke if i have to explain it..

I'm not sure why everyone poo poos dury duty.

My company literally pays for unlimited jury duty.

So last time I got a jury notice I did everything I could to get picked on the jury. I answered my questions in such a way that both side's lawyers would pick me.

So court started, and we were in session for about 40 minutes, then a break, and then another 30 minutes. Of course that was too much already so we called it quits before noon.

Not a bad way to work an 8 hour day.