what are the benefits of being a us citizen

^{Citizenship gives you a sense of belonging}

• Pride and patriotism. New citizens often feel proud of their new country and being able to say they are Americans.
• Elected office. As a US citizen, you can hold elected office. Naturalized citizens can run for any elected office except United States president.
• Opportunity to bring family to the USA. Citizens get priority over permanent residents when they want to bring family members to live in the USA.

What is the true cost of becoming an US citizen?

The current naturalization fee for a U.S. citizenship application is $725. That total includes $640 for application processing and $85 for biometrics services, both of which are nonrefundable, regardless of whether the U.S. government approves or rejects an application. Some applicants, however, can have these fees reduced or waived entirely.

What does it take to become an US citizen?

To become a US citizen, you must be 18 or older, proficient in English, and a law-abiding person. If you meet those requirements, one way you can try to get a green card is by having a family member who's already a citizen sponsor you. Another way to get a green card is through your job if you have an employment offer.

Why should I become an US citizen?

citizens:

• Owe their allegiance to the United States
• Are entitled to its protection
• Should exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens

What are the 10 qualities of a good citizen?

What are the 10 qualities of a good citizen?

• A Good Citizen is Patriotic.
• Model the Personal Qualities of Good Citizens.
• Be a Productive Member of Society.
• Be Active In Your Community.
• Keep Yourself Well-Informed.
• Be Vigilant.
• Participate in Your Nation’s Political Life.
• Be a Mentor.

Why do some people choose to forgo citizenship?

There are only a few reasons — besides identifying more strongly with their native country — why some people deliberately choose to forgo U.S. citizenship in favor of remaining green card holders. You may be required to renounce your citizenship in other countries.

How old do you have to be to get a green card?

Any male who has lived in the United States or obtained their green card between the ages of 18 and 26 — unless they had an immigration status other than “green card holder” — must register with the Selective Service System. You may be called upon to serve on a jury.

What happens if you commit a crime that could make you deportable?

Your criminal history will be heavily scrutinized. If you’ve committed a crime that could make you deportable — such as immigration fraud, drug abuse, or domestic violence — it’s especially important to seek legal assistance before applying for naturalization. You may be called upon to serve in the military.

Can non-citizens vote?

Non-citizens may only vote in some local elections. If you want to influence leadership in your community or in the United States overall, the voting booth is the place to start. You can run for elected office. U.S. citizenship is required for federal office and for most positions in public office at the state and local levels.

Do you have to relinquish citizenship in Japan?

India, Japan, and a number of others, however, require you to relinquish your citizenship in those countries once you become an American. It’s best to check your home country’s policy on dual nationality before applying for naturalization if you intend to maintain your foreign citizenship.

Why is citizenship important?

This advantage is harder to describe, but citizenship often increases a person’s sense of acceptance and inclusion amongst fellow Americans. Citizenship can help a person feel that he or she truly has a relationship with his or her new country.

How often do you have to renew your green card?

Permanent residents, by contrast, must renew their green card every 10 years and pay applicable fees . Certain scholarships and jobs, especially federal jobs, are only available to U.S. citizens

Is naturalization the best option for permanent residents?

It should be noted that naturalization is not the best solution for some permanent residents. When a person applies for citizenship, a criminal background check will be conducted and their immigration file will be reopened for review. If someone has a criminal background or a history of fraud or misrepresentation, he or she should consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that naturalization is the best route to take.

You can obtain a U.S. Passport

After you become a US citizen, you won’t need your green card anymore, as you will have a naturalization certificate to replace it – this means you are officially a U.S. citizen.

Easy travel to and from the United States

Even if you are a green card holder or lawful permanent resident, you don’t have complete freedom to travel outside of the United States, as the government imposes some additional restrictions and rules.

Take longer trips outside the United States

One of the travel restrictions lawful permanent residents have to abide by is the length of time they can stay outside the United States.

You cannot be deported

Once you become a U.S. citizen, the state can no longer deport you to your home country, unless they start a de-naturalization process. The only way to start a de-naturalization process is if you lied or committed fraud on your green card or citizenship application.

You can bring your family members to the United States

Family immigration law is generally quite complicated, but regardless of that, you will be able to act as a sponsor for your children, parents or spouse and obtain citizenship for them as well.

Your minor children can become citizens as well

When you gain your citizenship, your unmarried minor children automatically become citizens as well, if certain requirements are met. These are the requirements for children:

You will have access to governmental benefits, grants and jobs that are reserved for citizens

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you are certainly eligible to work and receive plenty of benefits but there are certain services and jobs that are only available to citizens.

1. You can obtain a U.S. passport

When you become a U.S. citizen, you no longer need your green card, as you will have a naturalization certificate and officially be a U.S. citizen.

2. You can more easily travel to and from the U.S

If you are a green card holder, you may not be aware that you don’t have complete freedom to travel outside the U.S., as the U.S. government places some travel restrictions and rules on green card holders.

3. You can take longer trips outside the U.S

One of the travel restrictions placed on LPRs is the length of time the are able take for a trip.

4. You are shielded from deportation or removal

Once you become a U.S. citizen, immigration authorities cannot deport you under any circumstances, unless they denaturalize you.

5. You can petition for your family members

While the area of law governing giving lawful status to your family is extremely complicated, in general, you are eligible to sponsor your spouse, parent (s), and/or child (ren).

6. Your unmarried, minor children can become citizens

When you become a U.S. citizen, your unmarried, minor (under 18 years of age) children automatically become U.S. citizens as well, if they meet certain requirements.

7. You will have access to jobs, grants, and other government benefits reserved for U.S. citizens

Although you are eligible to work in the U.S. and receive many benefits as an LPR, there are some jobs and services that are only available to U.S. citizens.

What are the benefits of becoming a US citizen?

Main Benefits to Becoming a U.S. Citizen. The top ten advantages of becoming a U.S. citizen over a permanent resident are: 1. No need to renew your green card. As a United States citizen, you will not need to renew the card proving your status as a lawful permanent resident every ten years. What's more, you will no longer be required ...

What are the rights of a US citizen?

10. Ability to obtain a U.S. Passport. U.S. citizens have the right to obtain a passport and the ability to obtain assistance from U.S. Embassies and Consulates when traveling in other countries.

What is the reason for a green card being removed?

Green card holders may be removed for committing certain crimes or doing other acts that match the grounds of deportability found in U.S. immigration law. A U.S. citizen who cannot be deported.

How do I become a US citizen?

You start by filing the N-400 application and paying the fee. You'll then be scheduled an appointment for fingerprinting and background check.

Can I get a reentry permit before I leave the US?

You might be able to obtain a reentry permit prior to leaving.) 5. Ability to petition for more family members to immigration. U.S. citizens can petition more types of family members into the United States than green card holders. Only U.S. citizens may petition parents, siblings, and married children.

Can a child become a US citizen?

6. Ability to pass U.S. citizenship to children who have green cards. When you become a U.S. citizen, your unmarried children under 18 will automatically become U.S. citizens, too. However, they must be lawful permanent residents; they must be residing in the United States; and they must be in the legal and physical custody ...

Do you have to deal with the lines of green card holders at airports?

You will no longer have to deal with the lines of green card holders awaiting entry at U.S. airports, borders, or other entry points. U.S. citizens enter separate lines, and the scrutiny is much less. In addition, as a U.S. citizen you often enjoy easy entry into other countries around the world.

How long can a US citizen stay in the US?

Permanent lawful residents of the United States who travel outside the country for more than 180 days must apply for readmission to the US. However, as a US citizen you can stay abroad as long as you like without having to worry about your immigration status being affected.

How old do you have to be to become a US citizen?

When you become a US citizen, your children under 18 years of age also become Americans. As long as your children are lawful permanent residents living in the United States, and assuming they are in your physical and legal custody, they will become US citizens the moment you become one.

How many countries can a US citizen visit?

To date, US citizens can visit 174 countries without needing to apply for a visa beforehand. Moreover, US citizenship entitles you to receive assistance from American embassies and consulates all over the world.

What is the right to vote?

Having US citizenship gives you the right to vote. And if you’re interested in serving as a public official in local or municipal government, most states require that candidates be US citizens, whether naturalized or whether they were born in the US. As a new American citizen, you will be eligible to run for most political offices across the country.

Can you be stripped of citizenship?

Contrary to legal permanent residents who may indeed be deported for breaking the law, naturalized US citizens who commit crimes cannot generally be stripped of their citizenship.

Practical Advantages of U.S. Citizenship

• There are many practical benefits of going through the naturalization process.Below are the most prevalent advantages of obtaining citizenship in the United States:

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