What are the main benefits of becoming an US citizen if you are permanent citizen or green card holder?

Question

What are the main benefits of becoming an US citizen if you are permanent citizen or green card holder?

Answer 1

They can't kick you out of the country - and you can vote.

Answer 2

You get to vote, a privilege many American citizens don't exercise anyway. The right to get other people to vote you into positions of power. Eligibility for government jobs (though they probably wouldn't take you unless you had really special skills). Also the obligation of jury duty which sucks, unless you're working, then it's a break from the drudgery to--hopefully--hear the details of some hilarious crime. Now that we're done with stuff nobody really cares about there're really only two practical advantages.

1. If you are found guilty of a crime you won't be deported. Deportation, by the way, can happen even for misdemeanors. You wouldn't want to be the unlucky guy who gets shafted for a misdemeanor (one you may not have even committed), would you?

2. You get to go wherever you want* for however long you want. If you're a permanent resident you may only leave the country for 6 months normally. After that, you have to present your green card to return. If your stay exceeds 1 years you will have to file for permission to return. If your stay exceeds 2 years you are quite liable to use your permanent residency status.

It in no way affects your eligibility for social security by the way.

*some limitations apply such as Cuba

Answer 3

When you work you would be able to receive social security benefits for when you are older- major advantage.

Voting too.

Answer 4

1.  If a member of a military, all officers must be citizens

2.  Secret clearances and above (including contractors) require citizenship

3.  Right to vote

4.  Ability (or obligation) to stand jury duty

5.  Holding public office

6.  Traveling with ease

7.  Removal of stigma of being an alien

8.  Removal of foreign obligations and ties (would suck to be living in the USA for 10 years and drafted into home country army :)

9.  Quite a few govt jobs at all levels require citizenship

But the most important reason is the ability to petetion alien relatives for immigration such as parents and siblings.

Answer 5

I was a green card holder for 20 years.  I became a citizen for schooling purposes.  When you go to grad school or professional school, they look at if you are a citizen or not.

...other than that, I keep getting jury duty like every 3 months.

Answer 6

none really.

Answer 7

You wont have to worry about being deported! SSI, Disability, Pentions, you can also get Govt. jobs easier than you would without being a citizen. Its not as hard to cross the border lol.

Answer 8

What Are the Benefits and

Responsibilities of Citizenship?

Benefits

The Constitution and laws of the United States give many rights to both citizens and non-citizens living in the United

States. However, some rights are only for citizens, such as:

• Voting. Only U.S. citizens can vote in Federal elections. Most States also restrict the right to vote, in most

elections, to U.S. citizens.

• Bringing family members to the United States. Citizens generally get priority when petitioning to bring family members permanently to this country.

• Obtaining citizenship for children born abroad. In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.

• Traveling with a U.S. passport. A U.S. passport allows you to get assistance from the U.S. government when overseas.

• Becoming eligible for Federal jobs. Most jobs with government agencies require U.S. citizenship.

• Becoming an elected official. Many elected offices in this country require U.S. citizenship.

• Showing your patriotism. In addition, becoming a U.S. citizen is a way to demonstrate your commitment to your

new country.

The above list does not include all the benefits of citizenship, only some of the more important ones.