frambuesas

After reading the 'Uncle Sam wants YOU!' read-me post at the top of the forum, I have a genuine, just people's opinions wanted question:


Why do you want/not want to become a US citizen? Or for those of you who have already made this decision, why did you choose to naturalize or not?



To give you a bit of background, I came to the US last year from England, on a K-1 visa. I married my lovely USC fiancé and filed for AOS in December, and got notice that my green card has been approved today. Yay! We now live in a house in North Carolina with our older dog, an insane and adorable new puppy, and an eccentric rescue cat. I'm in the process of searching for a full-time job now (I've been freelancing since I got my EAD).

Anyone who has seen previous posts of mine will know I like to worry about things waaaaay in advance, so please feel free to ignore this thread if it's annoying for me to be asking this early in the game. But I really love the thoughts and opinions of the BE forum, and am so grateful for the help and support I've received here over the last 16 months. I would enjoy hearing about what you think are the pros and cons of becoming a US citizen. I know it's a personal choice, as well as a practical one, so this is entirely subjective and I'm just being nosy!

Thanks.

kimilseung

There seem to be only two cons.
1) cost
2) tax forms for life
3) an extra one for those younger than me, being called up

and if you are keeping resident status, you have the tax issue and possibility to be called up anyway.

The pro is more security, including against future changes in regulations.

If I had the cash to spare I would do it.

fatbrit

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pros_a...US_Citizenship

frambuesas

Thanks - I'm just reading the Wiki! I really do want personal opinions though, because I'm interested in other people's stories. The practical aspects can only really be considered nearer the time. I don't want to jump the gun too much (though I'm excited that I have the option of becoming a USC!).

frambuesas

Being called up? As in military? I understood that this was just for males, as unfair as that is. (At least that's what the Wiki says.)

Sue

If you have kids who are US citizens then I think it's important one has US citizenship too, because you never know where the future will take you, or them.

frambuesas

And thank you for your thoughts! It's $680 at the moment, right? Cheaper than the K-1 but still a big chunk of money. And then there's the passport... Oh well, got a long while to worry about that (and no doubt it will have gone up again by then!).

frambuesas

Yeah - we are planning on starting a family in the near (ish) future, so it makes sense from that angle.

RICH

Since I brought up the subject, my thoughts:

I was K1 like you, came over in 2004....got 10 year gc in 2007. Got divorced after 4.5 years in 2009,(no kids) but anyway qualified for USC after 3 years as married PR, and since, also qualify individually after 5 years PR.

I have not yet applied for USC, but I will, rather than renew my 10 year GC. Main reason I have not, is money. Main reasons I will, is ability to go back and forth - ageing parents in UK in mind, and having already done 90% of the red tape, why not finish the job. But that's just me!

md95065

No - permanent residents have the same responsibilities as citizens when it comes to "being called up" - ie males from age 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service.

kimilseung

Yes, I was being a bit me-centric

I forget the exact cost, but that was in the ball-park last time I checked, there is the actual cost plus biometics (or something)

Indeed that and the taxes. As I too stated in the next line that got cut from your quote

sir_eccles

There is always the feeling that Arizona politicians might do something stupid.

dreamercon

This is not entirely accurate. An alien that is called up for military service may be able to obtain an exemption or discharge due to alienage. Claiming such an exemption though makes one ineligible for citizenship. See https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500502140

A recent case even found that an alien who was discharged based on alienage was eligible for citizenship - see http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastor...10/0456353.pdf

Also, there are reciprocal treaties exempting certain aliens from military service, if the alien so wants. See http://www.sss.gov/regisrantsbk.htm#(Class%204-C) and http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/S...0-0-46619.html.

Noorah101

Reasons why my husband naturalized:
1. He wanted to have the right to come and go in and out of the USA at any time, and to stay out of the USA for any length of time.
2. He wanted to be able to travel abroad more easily (he is very limited on his Iranian passport).
3. He wanted to vote.

Rene

frambuesas

Yes, I see the taxes thing. Bah. But I would need to do that as an LPR away from the States anyway, plus my husband will always have to do that. So I don't see that as a huge issue (especially as we probably won't be earning over the threshold of actually paying taxes). Thanks for the info!