10 Reasons to Become an American Citizen

Immigration has always been the driving force behind the success of the United States. Over the years, millions of immigrants from every corner of the globe have said goodbye to green card renewals and braved the complexities of US immigration services to become American citizens.

The process of becoming a naturalized US citizen consists of several steps. After confirming eligibility, applicants fill out Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, and send in all of the supplemental documentation (photographs, etc). Once this is processed, a background check will be carried out; for US immigration services to do so you will receive a biometrics appointment for your fingerprints to be taken. If there are no issues, you will be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS official, where you will take an English language and civics test. Assuming your application is approved, the final step is your naturalization ceremony, where you will take the Oath of Allegiance and officially become an American citizen.

And what then? What are some of the benefits will you enjoy with your newly-minted US citizenship? Here they are the top ten reasons why becoming american might be a good idea.

Voting and Running for Public Office

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.

Reduced Risk of Deportation

One of the biggest benefits of being an American citizen is that citizenship cannot generally be taken away from naturalized individuals. 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.

Improved Immigration Benefits

In addition to forgetting about having to renew your green card, once you’re a US citizen you will also be able to stand in the “US Citizen” line when you arrive at an American port of entry, potentially saving lots of time. Additionally, as an American citizen you will also be able to visit certain countries without the need to apply for a visa.

Take Trips Longer than 180 Days

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.

Sponsor Other Family Members

Another important benefit that US citizens have is the ability to petition for family members to receive a green card or special visa to live in the United States. If your N-400 citizenship application is approved, it will generally be easier for your spouse, children, and even parents to move to the US once you become a naturalized citizen.

Your Minor Children Also Become Citizens

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.

No Restrictions When Applying to Jobs

When you become a naturalized US citizen, you can apply for any job that you like without having to worry whether you need to be an American citizen first. This means that you are now eligible for many local, state, and federal jobs that were previously off-limits to you.

Receive a US Passport

When you receive a US passport, you will be in possession of one of the most powerful and widely-recognized passports in the world. 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.

Qualify to Receive Government Benefits/Aid

When you become an American citizen, you are generally eligible to apply for government benefits like Social Security and Medicaid. You also become eligible to receive food stamps, welfare, or benefit from other social programs if you should ever find yourself in reduced circumstances.

Reduced Down Payments on Real Estate Purchases

While foreign nationals can certainly purchase a home in the United States, lenders will typically ask for a larger sum as down payment. As an American citizen, you may qualify for a better deal and lower down payment when you apply for a mortgage as opposed to applying for one as a permanent resident.

While applying for US citizenship may seem like a daunting task, the many benefits you will receive far outweigh the challenges you may run into. From the initial citizenship application to the naturalization ceremony, millions of immigrants have followed the process to become an American citizen and can now enjoy the benefits of being a bonafide citizen of the United States.