Bob

Quite a few stories about people who have lived here for 30+ years or what not, now finding they're being deported.

What's usually most vile are the comments posted on those stories from various people, or the folks who say how one should have applied for citizenship years ago, without realising that it often isn't even a option.

BritInParis

If you've lived in a country of which you are not a citizen for 30 years I'd be interested to know why you think acquiring citizenship 'often isn't even an option'.

mrken30

I became a USC 3 years, 2 months after arriving. My reason being was that I found out in that short a time that made up charges can be made against you easily by corrupt small town Police. Who would have thought filing a credit card dispute could lead to felony charges? Certainly not me. Some places in the US really are like the Dukes of Hazard. I convinced several co-workers to become USCs, some had been here for almost 20 years as LPRs.

Pulaski

Perhaps if you'd have to give up another citizenship that you hold. I guess the problem would be if you intended to return "home" there one day, and wouldn't be able to if you had surrendered your nationality.

scrubbedexpat099

The last amnesty was c20 years ago.

BritInParis

That doesn't mean it's not an option; only that you had a choice to make. It also means you can't complain about being sent back.

Pulaski

Agreed × 3.
32 years ago - 1986. .... It couldn't have been less than 30 years ago as it was Pres. Reagan that signed it.

mrken30

Some people also just have an mental attachment to their passport of their home country. My friends mum in her 80's still would not give up her German passport. She has been here for 50+ years. People seem quite passionate about the color of their passport for some reason.

Pulaski

As per BiP above, not wanting to give up their passport is a choice and just because they don't want to do it doesn't mean it "isn't an option".

BritInParis

Germany does permit you to have both but you need to apply for permission from the German government beforehand. Not a showstopper.

Bundesverwaltungsamt - Retaining German citizenship

Pulaski

Was it always that way? I thought it was a relatively recent innovation.

mrken30

The article says 2007

BritInParis

You piqued my interest so I checked - it's been part of German nationality law since 1914, Section 25(2) of the Reichs- und Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz vom 22. Juli 1913 to be precise. It was actually easier to retain before 2000 as only those habitual residence was outside Germany would automatically lose.

The 2007 date refers to the exception made for those acquiring another EU/Swiss citizenship and vice versa.

scrubbedexpat099

Green Card through LIFE Act (245(i) Adjustment)
The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act and LIFE Act Amendments of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-553 and -554) enable certain individuals who are present in the United States who would not normally qualify to apply for adjustment of status in the United States to obtain a green card (permanent residence) regardless of:

The manner they entered the United States
Working in the United States without authorization
Failing to continuously maintain lawful status since entry
To qualify for this provision, you must be the beneficiary of a labor certification application (Form ETA 750) or immigrant visa petition (Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative or I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filed on or before April 30, 2001. In most cases, you must pay an additional $1,000 fee and complete Supplement A to Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to apply under Section 245(i) provisions with your adjustment of status application (Form I-485).