10 yrs Appd. Struggling my next step

[Rainbow]

Rcv'd my 10 yrs green card yesterday. I was amazed by their fast speed this time since my conditional green card took extra 6 months to just fix an error. ( such a pain...)

 

Anyway, I am not ready to the upcoming citizenship stage, struggling whether I should or should not keep moving, but I know it has limitation compare to be a US passport holder, which requires GC holder to stay in US at least 6 months out of a whole year, less benefit, harder to travel... What else I need to be awarded of? how's your better half or yourself handle this? I still have sometime to think about it, but I just want to get a heads up info. Is it possible to be out of states over 6 months w/o some sort of AP as GC holder? Thanks for sharing.

[warpedbored]

Congratulations on the new card. My wife just became an American citizen in July. Her major reason is it is faster to bring family members here. We want her son co come. Other reasons were it is easier to travel on an American passport, She can vote and she can stay out of the country as long as she pleases. We may retire in China and if you are a LPR you need to come back to the US at least once a year. Also you need to stay in the US a few months a year to maintain your status. If you are a US citizen you can stay in another country indefinitely and still be able to draw your social security.

[dnoblett]

Here is a list I found:

1. A Citizen Can Vote
   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.
   
2. Dual Citizenship (Currently N/A with China)
   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.
   
3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly
   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.
   
4. Citizens Cannot be Deported
   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.
   
5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits
   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.
   
6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits
   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.
   
7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities
   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.
   
8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically
   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.
   
9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits
   Citizens often receive approval on loans and mortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.
   
10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years
    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.
    

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm

 

Lately a the bar has been lowered as to what can get a NON-Citizen's residency revoked, getting convicted for the simplest things can now get a non-citizen deported. SEE #4 above.

 

#9 above was discussed here: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32250

Edited September 4, 2008 by dnoblett (see edit history)