because they are attracted to the ideas expressed in the U.S. Declaration of Independence or Constitution. Others are influenced by the practical advantages of U.S. citizenship.
ADVANTAGES OF BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN
For many individuals, U.S. immigration choices are driven by the desire to bring their families together. For example, permanent resident
aliens can sponsor their spouses and children who are under age
21. Without a doubt, it is easier for a U.S. citizen to sponsor relatives
than individuals in any other category. It is also much faster for a U.S.
citizen to try to bring in a family member than it is for a permanent
resident. A U.S. citizen may sponsor relatives, such as parents and
siblings, while a permanent resident may not.
U.S. citizens also enjoy much greater freedom and ease in traveling to
and from the United States. Although recent changes require U.S. citizens
to travel with passports to Canada and Mexico, permanent residents
have always had to supply more documentation when traveling.
United States citizens may also remain outside of the U.S. for longer
periods of time on business or personal trips. In fact, a U.S. citizen may
live in another country and remain a citizen of the United States. A
permanent resident alien who stays outside of the U.S. for too long
risks losing his or her permanent residence status.
A U.S. citizen can also travel to places a resident alien may not be able
to without first securing a visa. For example, permanent resident aliens
may need what are known as transit visas if they need to travel through
one country on their way to another country. However, a U.S. citizen
might be able to travel through the same country on the way to another
country by just using his or her U.S. passport. For example, suppose a
permanent resident alien wanted to visit the United Kingdom, but he
or she wanted to fly through and stay in Canada for a brief visit.
Depending on his or her home country, Canada might require a visa to
enter. A U.S. citizen would be able to travel to the United Kingdom and
Canada with just his U.S. passport.
Although a national identification card requirement for U.S. citizens
has been debated, there currently is no requirement that U.S. citizens
carry proof of their citizenship with them. However, permanent residents
are supposed to carry their green cards with them at all times. As
a side note, permanent resident aliens should have a current card with
them. This means they have the added task of making sure the card is
renewed and up-to-date.
After 9/11, one of the key reasons that immigration lawyers have
urged people to become citizens is that as a visitor or permanent resident
alien, the possibility of being forced to leave the United States
through deportation and removal always exists. Even though a
person has lived in the United States for decades, owns a house, has
a family, and pays taxes, he or she is always at risk for being deported
for criminal activity or other immigration violations. A U.S. citizen in
the same predicament might face a horrible scenario including one
that involves spending time in prison; however, at the end of it, he or
she would still be able to live in the United States. Although it is
possible for a person who naturalizes to be stripped of his or her U.S.
citizenship, this is rare. Unfortunately, the more common scenario is
that a permanent resident can risk being deported for criminal acts in
the United States.
Another reason that many immigration lawyers and activists have
urged people to become citizens is that only U.S. citizens can vote or
run for office. While it is true that only someone born in the U.S. may
become the president or vice president of the United States, there are
many other political offices that a naturalized citizen of the United
States might be elected to. Naturalized citizens may also vote in any
election that other citizens could vote in, assuming they are registered
to vote and meet other state and local requirements.
Naturalized citizens may also be eligible to apply for a wide range of
federal, state, and local government jobs—including ones that require
security clearances. For example, many individuals working for the
federal government as translators may find their ability to do classified
work limited unless they are citizens of the United States.
Sometimes the limits are purely economic. Permanent residents may
find it difficult to obtain certain licenses and permits as well,
including the ability to own firearms in the United States.
Two other benefits are also available to U.S. citizens. First, United
States citizens use the U.S. citizen line at airports, which is often
much faster, and U.S. citizens are able to use the U.S. citizen line at
U.S. embassies and consulates. Second, in the event of an emergency
or disaster that occurs abroad, the U.S. embassy will have the protection
and evacuation of U.S. citizens as its first priority. As such, there
is always the chance that a permanent resident alien caught in the
same unfortunate event may not be able to obtain access to the same
level of assistance.
U.S. citizens are also able to register for and use government
programs. Citizens may receive financial assistance and other government
benefits that may be difficult for permanent resident aliens to
obtain. Also, one of the requirements for sponsoring people for entry
into the U.S. is that the sponsor must agree to provide financial
resources so the person does not become dependent on financial help
from the federal or state government. In contrast, however, if the
person was a citizen of the U.S. and fell on hard times, he or she
would be eligible for financial assistance from federal, state, and local
programs without any impact on his or her status.
Source: Become a U.S. Citizen
