Manc

I was going off PA's reasoning.

My point is I can live here, work here, enter and leave here as it is. What difference does having a blue passport have?
If I don't feel like an American, I am not gonna go through a ceremony just for the sake of it, or just because I am eligible.

swingin scot

My main reason for wanting citizenship is that unless I have it I can't go back to live in Britain for a while. They'll consider that me relocating and take my greencard from me. If I could do that and always have my greencard (think it used to be you only had to be in the country one day a year or something) then I'd not be as concerned with citizenship. It's a good thing you don't have to renounce your British citizenship too ... I'd never do that.
I'll always consider myself a Brit first and foremost but I do love America too and the opportunities it has given me. Plus I would like the opportunity to vote ... even if it does seem like such a small thing.

Franklin

That wasn't my reason to become a USC. Essentially, I relate more now to the American way of life. I'm still British but feel I relate to the notion of getting ahead regardless of what family one is born into; also, my future seems to be here and not in the UK, I just can't see myself going back to the UK to work, no way no how no sir. Since my future is here and I will need medicare etc. in my old age and it is a lot easier to get disability benefits (though they are not worth much) if you are a USC compared to being a GC holder. Given that I relate more to the way things are done here, the work ethic, the opportunities that exist here (even during a job recession) etc. etc.

For example (don't read too much into this example, I have lots of others ad nauseam), in the UK I would not have stood a cat in hells chance of becoming a lawyer who can argue a case on behalf of a client in a court of law.

I can grow here like I can't in the UK. It is what you make of it, but you can make it here. That's how it looks to me, and I have pretty much done what I set out to do, but plan to do more.

Also, I wanted to sponsor my mother for a GC so that she need not worry about returning to the UK to stay in compliance, I could do that because I am a USC. Also, I may want to work in the government in some sensitive areas in some part time capacity, which would be next to impossible but for the fact that I am a USC. I take my US citizenship seriously and I am prepared to die for this country. It is my home. I am loyal to the USA. I am also loyal to the UK and was willing to work in potentially dangerous sensitive areas. So I think of myself as American and British.

Jabba1

For me this question is (of course) moot. I was born in the US, so I'm stuck with my citizenship whether I like it or not. It just so happens that I like it quite a bit.

Taffyles

It's that little clause in the citizenship process where you have to swear to give up all allegiance to any other country that is a stumbling block for many Brits, I've found. I couldn't honestly take an oath on that premise- my first allegiance will always be to UK- and I've heard so many other Brits say the same thing over the years. I take oaths seriously. A PR can do most anything a USC can, except work for the government and vote, so its no great disadvantage. PA you can sponsor a relative with just a green card.

The biggest disadvantage of not being a citizen is when you die- they are going to tax the hell out of whatever you leave your kids. Also, I think- am not too sure on this- the surviving spouse, if a PR, may be taxed to hell too if they try to leave the country. It's to stop you taking your money out of the country.

You cannot ever be stripped of your British Citizenship- you have to formally renounce it in the presence of a British consulate to drop it. Unlike the US, who can strip you of US citizenship if you take out citizenship of another country.

BTW if you do naturalize and get a passport- you have to use the US passport to leave/enter the country. They can take it away from you if you don't.

Children born to a USC and a UKC are American by birth and British by descent automatically- you don't have to register them or anything. Our grandson and any other grandchildren we have automatically get dual citizenship too as our children were all born in UK. Lucky kids eh?

Franklin

Another issue, the Congress can legislate and change the status of GC holders. Congress did something like this back in 1996. It is a LOT harder for Congress to play around with the status of US citizens.

As to sponsoring a parent for a GC, this was not available to me as a GC holder. I could only do that as a USC. Yes, you have to swear allegiance to the USA, but we can be dual citizens, the issue of holding dual citizenship has become somewhat moot. However, my first allegiance is to the USA, it changed to the USA when I took the oath. Since the UK and USA are so close, I don't see a conflict. Imho, we are like brother and sister. We have squabbles, but nothing permanent, "We are family." Certainly the UK is closer to the USA than, e.g., France and Germany.

GoofyBrit

For some reason the UK will not allow a British subject to give up their citizenship so you will be a dual national.

I have lived in the USA (MONTANA) since September 1999 and I would give up my UK citizenship if I could.

To me I have found the perfect place to live, the American people are friendly and I feel a lot safer here than I ever did living in the UK.

CalgaryAMC

That's not true.

Manc

Yeah, go in front of a British Magistrate and renounce.

GoofyBrit

I was told that HRH would not allow any British subject to give up thier citizenship....... cant remember where I was told that but it was at an immagration office I think

Manc

Nope, that's not true.
Not sure if you can do it at the Consulate in Chicago (I have no desire to look into such things)
But you can certainly make an appointment in front of any British Magistrate and formally renounce your citizenship.


The US immegration can't take the Brit passport off you as it doesn't belong to them.

CalgaryAMC

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/def...sp?PageId=1157

Jabba1

Do you have US citizenship or plan to take it out? I fail to see the need for you to renounce your UK citizenship since being a dual citizen of both countries is actually quite benificial. If you wish to remain in the US you may do so, as long as you are either a GC holder, or a US citizen.

Duncs

The requirement is residence so its three years from the day you entered and took up(or became) permanent resident status in the USA(whether conditional or not). You can apply for naturalisation up to 90 days before the date as well.

Duncs

I have yet to fully make up my mind about taking citizenship here. Although i probably will because i want to work in government, i would like to become an Assistant District Attorney eventually and most places require citizenship to get a job. There is also the fact that it lifts the affadavit of support liability that my father in law has towards me. Most importantly i want to take part in politics again and that requires citizenship.

Although the thought of actually swearing an oath that renouces my primary loyalty to Britain is hard to imagine right now and i certainly dont feel American yet. I suppose we shall see how time affects my sense of identity.

regards,

Duncan