SultanOfSwing

That's pretty much the way I looked at it. I released my wife from the Affadafit of Support by becoming a citizen, and I also exempted myself from any change in immigration law that may affect permanent residents.

Ultimately, it was so I never have to deal with USCIS again - that is the biggest benefit for me ...

robin1234

Easier, and also more complicated (filing for tax and FAFSA etc. for life even if no longer live in the US.)

SultanOfSwing

Don't PRs still have to file for taxes once they move too, I thought I read that somewhere.

Personally, I'd see having to file US taxes from the UK as a good thing - a great reminder that I actually am able to live back in the UK again

robin1234

Yes I believe they do but not sure of the details.

nethead

I got my citizenship the same time as SoS.
For much the same reason. Plus I wanted to be able to vote, but more importantly to us, I have a daughter (from a previous relationship and born in the UK) that I could pass my US citizenship on to automatically, if I became a citizen before she was 18.

SultanOfSwing

I see a lot of people write this, then I look at the current crop of candidates and think 'why'?

Plus, if Bush II got in twice, doesn't that suggest elections are fixed, rather than democratic?

md95065

Well, if you really feel strongly about it you could try getting elected yourself - president is out but pretty much everything else is open to you as a naturalized citizen.

SultanOfSwing

Good God no, I ****ing hate politics, I'd rather die.

celticgrid

Indeed. My first opportunity to vote was last week, and I decided not to do so. Both candidates ran campaigns entirely based on trashing their opponent. Entirely. And trashing their opponents history, not their manifesto - though there was no evidence such a thing actually existed. Not one shred of evidence was presented as to why I should vote FOR either candidate.

SultanOfSwing

I see that a lot here. But this is Illinois, where everyone's bought off beforehand anyway ...

S Folinsky

In 2007 we were on a trip to Germany. In Dresden got to talking to a gentleman my age who had grown up in the old GDR -- an interesting discussion. As the conversation progressed, he got into ragging of Dubya and I responded "I voted against the man -- twice." The gentleman then shook my hand and thanked me. A life moment.

I will admit that my family background and those of many of the people I used to represent was that they were glad to sever ties with the home country.

sir_eccles

Which reinforces the point - if you didn't vote, quit complaining!

While natural born USCs tend to wear their patriotism on their sleeves, are very proud of who they are and would seemingly never consider another citizenship (based on straw poll of umm one in a bar recently), only a very small minority seem to exercise their right to vote. The rest just sit in a corner complaining, which on further reflection does actually seem rather British.

cindyabs

I would love to be able to ask the immigrants on both sides of my family why they came here. It would be interesting to hear their answers, it wasn't because of love, or a better job with a housing allowance, etc, etc.

BellaE

I still haven't brought myself to do the deed, although I probably will, just to avoid having the periodic run-arounds with renewing the GC. However, me dear old mum, who is well into her 80's, and who has been here for 45 years, cannot be told when I do, as she will consider it a personal failure of my British patriotism.

BellaE

but I still don't understand pledging allegiance to a FLAG... to a country, maybe, to principles of democracy or freedom, but to a FLAG? Sorry. If I make the leap, will I have to do it at the oath ceremony?