Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

Hi all, new poster here:

I've been living in the US for 15 years now with a Green card for the last 7. I am married to another Brit and we have 2 children both born here in the US.

I am considering becoming a US Citizen, but I don't really know why.

Questions:

* What are the primary practical advantages of becoming a citizen

* What is the situation regarding my UK passport. Can I keep it and travel around Europe on it, in and out of the UK on it etc ?

Thanks for the help.

Tony
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Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

Check the wiki faq above, loads of reasons and all that and answers.

Welcome to BE though.

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

In addition to the good wiki faq, have a look at the answers I got when I asked a similar question - lots of varying answers.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433703

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

For me mainly, was that my kids were reaching the 18 years of age and I wanted them to have the freedom to travel between Europe and USA to work for the rest of their lives - EASILY. For them now, and their own future families, they are Dual citizens.

The next main positive for me was that I did not want to jeopardize ever having to give up citizenship opportunity if we were forced to move back to the UK for 2+ or more years, which typically triggers loss of green card. I want the freedom of choice to flip whereever - whenever - now I have that. Same as kids.

The risk for them is Selective Service (i.e. they could be called up) - if you see that as a risk or necessity!

Of course, NEVER having to deal with USA BCIS ever again was a big PLUS :)

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

All males 18-26 who are not here on non-immigrant visas have to register for SS. Not doing so could delay naturalization, and also represents a bar to getting financial aid for college.

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

Sorry, I was indicating what happens once you get citizenship - you can be called up (18-26).. but good to clarify., Thanks.

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

But anyone who is registered with SS can be called up.... citizen or not... even illegals!

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

Ahh, but cannot they then not just leave the country? Citizens cannot leave the country in the same way... Or am I splitting hairs?

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

It would be a 1-way ticket either way I guess... but it's handy having a place to go to! :)

Re: Citizenship / UK Passport Question
 

probably the foremost reason, is that you are free to come and go as you please without abandoning your status as a PR. Judging from this discussion board, a lot of expats don't stay in the US for the rest of their lives, so this is a really important reason to become a citizen (and for the sake of your children).