Many permanent residents of the United States spend years thinking about becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Often the permanent residents count down the days/years until they can apply. But a funny thing happens when that date final comes and a permanent resident is able to apply for citizenship…they don’t.
It isn’t that they don’t want to become U.S. citizens, in fact, most are eager to become citizens. But with life swirling around them, many permanent residents do not apply. Life becomes too busy, and the $675 fee seems like a bunch of money to save up.
Gafner Law Firm understands. Nevertheless, the firm urges you to take the final effort and become citizens. You know the advantages, and you know you want to…so take the plunge and apply.
To encourage you, here are some of the advantages:
YOU CAN VOTE. As a permanent resident you get to watch all of the political commercials and listen to all of the political talk….but you cannot vote. Only U.S. citizens are able to vote. Why don’t you want a say in how you are governed?
YOU CAN HELP YOUR FAMILY. As a U.S. citizen, you are able to better assist your family in gaining immigration benefits in the United States. As a U.S. citizen, your spouse, minor children, and parents are eligible to gain lawful permanent residency (often in less than a year of processing). Additionally, other members of your family are eligible to immigration benefits that may eventually result in permanent residency in the United States.
YOUR CHILDREN MAY AUTOMATICALLY BECOME U.S. CITIZENS. When a person becomes a U.S. citizen, it is often the case that the person’s minor children also immediately, and automatically, become U.S. citizens. Although there are specific requirements for this to happen, most newly minted U.S. citizens will be able to convey this advantage to their minor children.
LESS TRAVEL CONCERNS. As U.S. permanent residents, immigrants are able to travel pretty freely in and out of the United States. However, immigrants often have more difficulty travelling to other countries. U.S. citizens are often able to travel much more freely than nationals of other countries because of the relationships that the United States has established with other countries.
PROTECT AGAINST THE FUTURE. As a U.S. permanent resident, you are still vulnerable to be the possibility of being deported or removed from the United States if you get in legal trouble. Many permanent residents who have lived in the United States for decades have been removed from the country after committing rather minor criminal crimes. As a U.S. citizen you will not face the possibility of removal.
If you have already committed a crime and are a U.S. permanent resident, it may be too late to apply for citizenship. In such a case, it is imperative that you immediately contact a naturalization lawyer to ensure that you are eligible to apply for naturalization.