What does it take to become a US Citizen? (immigrate, website, law)

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by dusesean1986

When you make a few dollars a day, it's hard to sit on the sidelines and criticize anyone for coming here illegally.

It's not so hard when you do the same thing legally. Bottom line is that the protection of any sovereign's laws must be earned, it's not anyone's entitlement, and just about every country out there demands a number of things. FIRST OF WHICH is if you want the protection of the sovereign's laws, you must submit to that sovereign's jurisdiction by initial deference, respect, and obedience of that sovereign's laws and regulations. There are millions of legals who come here with trying backgrounds; many of them come from the exact same neighborhoods as those who come here legally.

Their heart may be in the right place, but they have not earned the same status as those who come here legally. We are not a nation of unlimited resources, and compassion mandates rewarding those who play by the rules. It may also mandate those with their hearts in the right place going to the end of the line, but it certainly mandates a difference in treatment.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by Manhattan-ite

What does it take to become a US Citizen?

First of all, it takes PRIDE and LOVE.

One shouldn't get a citizenship just because one has been living in our great country for a number of years.

There are too many citizens who care not for America. They just wanted the paper.

Then there are those like me who moved to the US because we love this country more than anything. Other than the legal process and papers we go through, it is the LOVE we have for America that counts or should count.

One shouldn't apply for citizenship as if it were a driver's license.

Of course, America's got a bit of everything, and so we patriot immigrants have to face those unwelcoming folks (see elsewhere in this forum for particular examples) who greet our coming with "we don't want you, foreigner" and "legal or illegal, we don't want any immigrants" signs.

In spite of them, I feel welcomed and loved because I freely and legally chose to join the greatest nation on earth, and my fellow Americans admire this.

LEGAL immigration is a bedrock of this nation. My parents have achieved that status and never spent a second in this nation illegally. I will never understand what they went through, but I certainly would not mind having to earn citizenship myself, even though I was born here.

[carolac]

Ha - that reminds me of a joke. Mexico has announced it will not participate in the Olympics. Everyone who can swim, jump or run has already left the country.

Originally Posted by FJORDHEIMER

If you can jump the border your American. lol

[freespeach]

Originally Posted by ducter

There are other ways also like sponsoring a family member to come in and such.

Trust me, illegals are not looking to come here legally, no attemps are even made. they want a free america.

How thoroughly have you researched this OPINION? There are many many hundreds of people who try to come to this country legally and find it impossible for myriad reasons... your comment should make you feel ashamed... were your ancestors Native Americans, most likely not, which means you come from a long line of immigrants also.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by freespeach

How thoroughly have you researched this OPINION? There are many many hundreds of people who try to come to this country legally and find it impossible for myriad reasons... your comment should make you feel ashamed... were your ancestors Native Americans, most likely not, which means you come from a long line of immigrants also.

The folks who try to come to this country legally and find it impossible aren't entitled to extra benefits to get citizenship. American citizenship is not an entitlement. Last time I checked, "I tried my best and couldn't do it under the various other legal ways and methods so I am entitled to American citizenship anyway," is not one of the reasons that America grants citizenship.

People talk about compassion and shame. I think people should feel ashamed for how they spit on the legacy of legal immigration, how millions around the world are NOT all from privileged backgrounds, yet they are able to struggle, scrimp, and save, and they DELIBERATELY -- with knowledge, forethought, and intent -- seek to go through the process legally. To earn the citizenship of this sovereign land. They realize and appreciate that the protection that our citizenship bestows is not an entitlement. Where's the appreciation for their efforts? They are equal to those of the illegals. If not superior, because of the added level of patience and, most importantly, adherence to rules. The best way to appreciate legal immigrants is to enforce the rules.

[jjwebbster]

Originally Posted by freespeach

How thoroughly have you researched this OPINION? There are many many hundreds of people who try to come to this country legally and find it impossible for myriad reasons... your comment should make you feel ashamed... were your ancestors Native Americans, most likely not, which means you come from a long line of immigrants also.

mine were. At any rate, takes 2 things 2 come legaly. WANT 2 & TRY HARD

[sponger42]

I find it ironic that so many people call marrying into a US citizenship "doing it right" while they will decry working hard and contributing blood, sweat, and tears to making our economy run "doing it wrong."

Not that there is anything wrong with the OP's marrying into her citizenship, it's just the easiest possible path to a legal Permanent Residency (PR). There are a few other paths, mainly through blood relations to a citizen or PR or the diversity lottery, but NONE of these would be open to your typical illegal immigrant. Just an FYI before I answer the original question.

If you've lived as a lawful PR for 7 years, you can apply for citizenship immediately. It will probably cost roughly what it did to get your green card, but be a bit less hassel (because if you don't get your citizenship, you can still stay, while if they had not issued you a green card, you would've been deported or not allowed to join your husband in the US in the first place). And YES, to those who wonder, even getting the "EASY" marriage visa green card is a herculean effort that costs thousands of dollars (even if you DIY without a 5K sleezeball immigration lawyer), years of your life, hundreds of hours of work, and lots of gray hairs thanks to offensive and hostile immigration officials.

The best place to research becoming a US citizen is at USCIS Home Page

I believe the process takes about 2 years start to finish if everything goes smoothly, with the usual majority of that time being waiting for the red tape to unwravel itself.

Be aware that the US oath of citizenship requires you to renounce your former citizenship. Some countries recognize this oath as binding and will revoke your home country citizenship (and therefore passport). This might revoke certain rights and priviliages in your home country (like universal health care, voting, or even the right to visit without a visa depending on the country) So don't just assume you can hold dual citizenship without checking first.

Anyway, good luck.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Or you can wait until there are 20 million massed and waving their home countries flags demanding to be made instant Americans. That has worked in the past. Of course you'll have to give up the free benefits unless of course you work under the table and show you make no money. That is also an option used widely.

[artstarzz]

If one parent is born in the usa will her children be american citizens ?

[Penguin_ie]

Originally Posted by artstarzz

If one parent is born in the usa will her children be american citizens ?

Depends how much time the US citizen parent spent in the USA.