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ViewsPros and Cons to Getting US CitizenshipFrom Wiki[edit] ADVANTAGES
Your chance to participate in steering America in the right direction.
Naturalisation is the only way to guarantee you have the right to remain in the US. PRs are at risk of losing their status if they spend long periods of time outside the US or commit certain, sometimes not very serious, crimes.
Your dealings with the US immigration authorities finally come to an end and you no longer have obligations, for example, to inform them of your change of address. Also, you will release your spouse or joint sponsors from financial responsibility of sponsorship under the I-864.
Some US permanent residents are restricted from access to public benefits, especially from receiving them whilst abroad. This is a continuing and deepening trend. This can include access to Social Security benefits.
Unlike USCs, green card holders cannot sponsor parents or siblings, and USC receive priority for spouses and children.
Many types of elected positions require the officeholder to be a USC.
USCs and PRs are not always treated the same for tax purposes. This is particularly true for estate taxes. If both parties are USCs married to each other, then the estate passes from one party to the other without taxation. If both parties die, then the estate passes to whoever is named in the will or determined by probate court. In 2005, the first $1.5M are not taxed. From 2006 to 2011, the first $2M is protected from estate taxes. Beyond 2011, if congress does not extend the repeal, then only the first $650K is free of taxes. However, for non-citizens, the rules are different and any estate over $650K is taxable.
Some federal grants are only available to US citizen applicants.
Most federal government jobs and many state/local government jobs, require the applicant to be a USC. Most (but not all) state and local police forces, for example, require USC to become a police officer. Some government-related jobs in corporations require a USC, especially in the energy and defense sectors. Security Clearance, for the above type of jobs, with citizenship, you can have a higher level, but don't forget that having ties to the UK via friends, family, property etc might still limit the level of clearance you may gain. In addition, some clearance levels (e.g. NOFORN) are generally not available to dual citizens. Even USCs who renounce foreign citizenship may have difficulties with high level security clearances due to other foreign ties.
As a USC you are entitled to a US passport (which may have better visa-free travel) and to consular protection from American missions overseas. However, US consular protection is not available in any other country of which you are a citizen.
USCs have simplified access to work permits in Canada and Mexico due to NAFTA treaty provisions.
As a naturalized USC you will normally meet the physical presence requirements to be able to pass on US citizenship to children born outside the United States. In cases where these are not met, you may sponsor them to the United States as immigrants and have them benefit from automatic citizenship on admission to the United States as immigrants (if under 18).
Most states allow Green Card holders to possess firearms, but some (eg Washington State) require any non-citizen to have a permit. As a USC you will be exempt from these requirements. Also, many states will only issue "concealed carry" permits to USC applicants. Furthermore, the rights of Green Card holders to own and use firearms could be removed by federal legislation in future. As a USC your rights to own a firearm are protected by the Second Amendment.
In a few states, one of which is Alabama, you may need to be a USC in order to get a professional license, such as become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in that state.
Your photograph and fingerprints will not be required under the US-VISIT program on entry to the US. If the port of entry is operating an entry channel for US passport holders only, you may use that channel.
Depending on state law, there may be a requirement that if you want to adopt a child, one or both adoptive parents must be a USC.
A US citizen domiciled abroad can not be sued in diversity in federal court, whereas a non-US citizen can be. [edit] DISADVANTAGES
You can no longer escape this by ticking the non-citizen box
There may be dual citizenship issues for some. However this is a not a problem for UK citizens since the UK government has no particular issues with British citizens holding dual citizenship. For the US perspective, which requires a few rules to be followed, see http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
You are now liable for US tax on your worldwide income if you leave the US. Unlike most other countries, US citizens pay tax on their worldwide income, regardless of where they are living. So if you move to the Cayman Islands and live there 20 years, you are still required to pay US taxes. This is a very important point to note. Tax Treaties with certain countries mean you will not be doubled taxed if you paid taxes on monies earned in that country to that tax authority. Also note that if you wish to maintain your PR status while living abroad for a year or two and have the appropriate re-entry permit, you must continue to pay US taxes as proof of unabandonment of residency.
Are now a no-no! (although this is also the case for green card holders and even temporary residents of the U.S.).
The Embassy of your home country will no longer be able to intervene on your behalf with the U.S. authorities (since they can't get you out of jail anyway, this is a limited benefit).
A US citizen domiciled abroad can not sue in diversity in federal court, whereas a non-US citizen can. |