Top 10 Reasons to Become a US Citizen

Many clients ask attorneys: Why should I become a Citizen?  There are many advantages to becoming a U.S. Citizen (as opposed to just keeping one’s green card as a permanent resident).

Here are 10 reasons to become a U.S. Citizen:

  1. Not Being Deported: Permanent Residents accused of a crime may be deported. The crime does not even have to be a “serious crime”.  Permanent Residents remain under the authority of USCIS and the Immigration Courts, and are subject to potential deportation.  As a U.S. Citizen, your right to remain in the U.S. cannot be taken away.
  2. The Right to Vote:  Only U.S. Citizens can vote on their representatives to political office, on local tax issues, and other ballot measures such as should gay marriage be allowed.
  3. Tax and Estate Reasons: Property left to a spouse is exempt from the estate tax, if the spouse is a U.S. Citizen.  The tax code also allows other free transfers of property between U.S. Citizen spouses.  If the spouse is not a U.S. Citizen the transfer is subject to taxation.
  4. Guaranteed Re-entry to the United States After Traveling Abroad: After leaving the U.S. for more than 180 days Permanent Residents can lose their green card upon attempted re-entry if the Port of Entry determines that the green card has been abandoned. An immigration attorney can obtain a re-entry permit for green card holders, which allows a Permanent Resident to travel abroad for up to two years without “abandoning” his/her U.S. residence.
  5. Government Jobs and Benefits:  Some government jobs and benefits are only available to U.S. Citizens. In fact some government agencies specifically do not protect permanent residents eligible for Citizenship who decided not to become Citizens within 6 months of eligibility.
  6. The Right to Sponsor Family Members for a Green Card:  Becoming a U.S. Citizen comes with the privilege of the ability to sponsor relatives for a green card including parents, children,  spouses, and siblings.  “Immediate Relatives” may obtain a green card immediately, while other categories such as siblings have a very long wait because only so many visas are issued each year per country per category. Here is a further explanation of the family based immigration preference categories.
  7. Protecting Your Children: Permanent Resident Children under the age of 18 in their parent’s lawful legal custody automatically become Citizens.
  8. Grants and Scholarships: Many College Scholarships and other Federal Grants are only available to U.S. Citizens.
  9. Public Office:  You must be a U.S. Citizen to run for or hold many public offices.
  10. U.S. passport:  Many persons desire to travel abroad on a U.S. passport.  When abroad you will have the full force of the U.S. Government behind you, including assistance from the U.S. embassies if needed. Many countries recognize dual citizenship.