Thought This Might Be Kinda Fun

[Going through 5,671]

Moderators, I apologize if this doesn't fit in this forum.  Please feel free to move or delete as necessary,

 

Going through this process since I first filed for AOS many many years ago, I've run into a lot of misconceptions (or downright stupid comments) about how one goes about becoming a Citizen...mostly from people who are US Citizens.

 

So I thought it would be kind of interesting (plus I can be nosy at times) to hear other odd comments people have gotten when friends and family and coworkers find out you are applying to become a US Citizen.

 

My most common ones have been:

 

"You become a US Citizen automatically as soon as you get married, what are you applying for?!" ---this one I've actually gotten myself into arguments with people over because they kept insisting they were correct, and that, somehow, I've been filing all of this paperwork over the years, being fingerprinted, and attending interviews mistakenly....sheesh.

 

"You're from (insert country of origin here) so you'll have no problem!" ---this one is a bit tricky, because I do (maybe wrongly) assume that certain countries may have a tougher time these days, but I don't think that makes it a walk in the part for everyone else entirely.  Plus it's kinda condescending when someone tells you that because you are from (insert country of origin here) that you have nothing to worry about.  Immigration is a stressful process no matter where you come from, or the circumstances you are under, or even if your case seems straightforward on the surface.

 

 

Your turn now!

 

 

 

 

[mcdull 474]

"congratulations"

 

I don't know why would somebody congratulate me on planning to become a US citizen.

 

No immediate benefit but big liability when you have to pay oversea income

 

 

Edited July 13, 2017 by mcdull

[lovelyalex 99]

2 hours ago, mcdull said:

"congratulations"

 

I don't know why would somebody congratulate me on planning to become a US citizen.

 

No immediate benefit but big liability when you have to pay oversea income

 

 

So then why are you doing it?  Not wanting to sound rude.  I think it's a big deal worthy of congratulating.  

[Lupigirl 67]

I've heard those first two numerous times; "Aren't you automatically a citizen because you married one?" And the idea that since I'm from Canada, there's nothing to worry about.  

 

We even had my husband's uncle tell us he knew someone who had married and petitioned for immigration benefits 15 times, with 15 different people!  So we shouldn't be concerned at all.  I can't imagine that being close to accurate.

 

It's hard trying to get people to understand the length of time this process takes, not to mention the amount of information and documentation we're asked to provide.  They don't get the whole "immigration is a privilege, not a right" thing.  They think, because our marriage is real, we shouldn't have to prove anything.  

 

Oh, and the very casual approach they take to the whole process...my sister-in-law has been trying to convince us to go visit them in Washington (we live in Arizona) and we told her we're nervous about making any plans in case they end up conflicting with a scheduled interview.  Her response?  "Can't you just call them and make an appointment for the week after or something?"  As if we would ever cancel our interview for anything less than near-death emergency!

 

 

 

[Going through 5,671]

47 minutes ago, Lupigirl said:

I've heard those first two numerous times; "Aren't you automatically a citizen because you married one?" And the idea that since I'm from Canada, there's nothing to worry about.  

 

We even had my husband's uncle tell us he knew someone who had married and petitioned for immigration benefits 15 times, with 15 different people!  So we shouldn't be concerned at all.  I can't imagine that being close to accurate.

 

It's hard trying to get people to understand the length of time this process takes, not to mention the amount of information and documentation we're asked to provide.  They don't get the whole "immigration is a privilege, not a right" thing.  They think, because our marriage is real, we shouldn't have to prove anything.  

 

Oh, and the very casual approach they take to the whole process...my sister-in-law has been trying to convince us to go visit them in Washington (we live in Arizona) and we told her we're nervous about making any plans in case they end up conflicting with a scheduled interview.  Her response?  "Can't you just call them and make an appointment for the week after or something?"  As if we would ever cancel our interview for anything less than near-death emergency!

 

 

 

YES!  I am from Canada as well and I can't tell you the amount of times people have told me I have nothing to worry about even though I have a CIMT (from 23 years ago in Toronto, long before I became a LPR).  Being from a specific country doesn't make any difference (or at least it shouldn't).  

 

It's hard getting people to understand the level of stress the process can cause as well.  Even my own husband (US Citizen by birth) cannot understand "why I am so worried about it".  Or why I have trouble sleeping because all I can think about is putting together documents, and tracking travel dates when you don't have passport stamps to rely on, and photocopying, and checking everything over and over again and sending away for things, and making sure I phone different places to check up on all the documentation I'm trying to gather.   

 

I'm a worry-wart all the time though, so partly I do it to myself in a way.  I do wish more people outside of those going through the process themselves had an inkling of the type of vetting we go through.  And have gone through for years already.

[Lupigirl 67]

6 minutes ago, Going through said:

YES!  I am from Canada as well and I can't tell you the amount of times people have told me I have nothing to worry about even though I have a CIMT (from 23 years ago in Toronto, long before I became a LPR).  Being from a specific country doesn't make any difference (or at least it shouldn't).  

 

It's hard getting people to understand the level of stress the process can cause as well.  Even my own husband (US Citizen by birth) cannot understand "why I am so worried about it".  Or why I have trouble sleeping because all I can think about is putting together documents, and tracking travel dates when you don't have passport stamps to rely on, and photocopying, and checking everything over and over again and sending away for things, and making sure I phone different places to check up on all the documentation I'm trying to gather.   

 

I'm a worry-wart all the time though, so partly I do it to myself in a way.  I do wish more people outside of those going through the process themselves had an inkling of the type of vetting we go through.  And have gone through for years already.

Agh!  I hear you on the husband thing.  Mine (born and raised USC) gets frustrated with my worrying.  The hard part is, without my EAD, I have nothing but time to worry and obsess.

 

Just 5 minutes ago, when I mentioned to him about changing my name on my passport, he asked "Why would you get a new Canadian passport, when you're applying to become an American citizen?"  He went over all the forms with me, I've told him more than once that I can't apply for citizenship for another 3 years, and he STILL doesn't get it!!  Lol

[Ontarkie 14,282]

~~Moved to Off Topic, from US Citizenship Discussion.- As the thread is not about the process of any part or immigration but about comments from others.~~

[Going through 5,671]

1 minute ago, Ontarkie said:

~~Moved to Off Topic, from US Citizenship Discussion.- As the thread is not about the process of any part or immigration but about comments from others.~~

Thanks Ontarkie!

[Going through 5,671]

3 minutes ago, Lupigirl said:

Agh!  I hear you on the husband thing.  Mine (born and raised USC) gets frustrated with my worrying.  The hard part is, without my EAD, I have nothing but time to worry and obsess.

 

Just 5 minutes ago, when I mentioned to him about changing my name on my passport, he asked "Why would you get a new Canadian passport, when you're applying to become an American citizen?"  He went over all the forms with me, I've told him more than once that I can't apply for citizenship for another 3 years, and he STILL doesn't get it!!  Lol

Heh...does your husband know that Canada will always consider you "Just a Canadian" only even after dual citizenship?  lol

Edited July 13, 2017 by Going through

[Lupigirl 67]

1 minute ago, Going through said:

Heh...does your husband know that Canada will always consider you "Just a Canadian" only even after dual citizenship?  lol

lol-my future goal is to get him Canadian citizenship.  One step at a time...

[Going through 5,671]

3 minutes ago, Lupigirl said:

lol-my future goal is to get him Canadian citizenship.  One step at a time...

Mine is to get my daughter's proof of citizenship for Canada since she was born in the US, then a Canadian passport.  As long as I do it before she turns 14 the process is extremely easy and fast.  My husband on the other hand?  He's an American true and true.

[Lupigirl 67]

That's wonderful for your daughter!  Having options of multiple countries in which to live and work is such a privilege.

[Dianalorena 1,153]

Not from trying to be a U.S citizen, but just undergoing a CR1:

 

The classic ''but, why does it take over a year if you are married to a U.S citizen''  I ask so myself 

'' Did you get married for the green card?''  can you get your head out of your butt?  

''I just married on a tourist VISA why didn't you?'' ---because, that would be fraud? 

And my personal favorite:

OMG I don't know how you do it, I'm glad I don't have  to/I'm with my partner/it didn't take that long for me

Which just makes me want to murder someone in their sleep. 

 

Overall I can tell most people don't know anything about immigration. Which makes sense, I didn't know much beforehand.