If you're not interested in politics or voting, why would a resident alien be interested in citizenship?

Question

My wife, a legal (green card) immigrant from Asia, says she can think of no reason to apply for U.S. citizenship. What can I tell her?

I should add that she's been here 15 years, has a very good job, speaks English well, will never need a security clearance, contributes the maximum amount to social security, and will be eligible for benefits. She says the only benefit of citizenship is the ability to vote, and she's not interested in that. What am I missing?

Answer 1

Patriotic answers never really satisfy those from other countries considering why they should seriously think of citizenship here. In total truth, it depends on the exact circumstances. Unfortunately, my partner CANNOT get a green card by simply stating that he's my fiancee or anything like that and that's the main reason why he's not interested in immigrating here; he's more interested in each of us immigrating to a "safer" European country, and on a level, I agree with him, though I don't ever plan on giving up my first ammendment right.

But with all of that aside, I think that the reasons that one should consider in regard to citizenship here have a LOT to do with politics and voting. If more people from other countries actually DO decide to immigrate, they should be concerned with voting and politics as well, becuase AS American citizens, they're working as a force of diversity in this country, and the issues that would truly effect them are more universal than many Americans may commonly think. Eventually politicians and other leaders will begin to "look at the numbers" so to speak and adjust domestic American policies and American foreign policies to accommodate those "political trends" and whatnot. I would, therefore, encourage her to apply for US citizenship, becuase she has something to contribute to the ultimate well being of this country, something that would make this country into a less ill-fitting member of the international community. But again, it's up to her to make the ultimate decision, as it's also likely that her only reason for wanting to live here is to be with you. In this case, she's likely to think--in the back of her mind--that YOU have as much to gain from becoming a naturalized citizen of HER country. But again, the real reasons to apply for citizenship here would specifically be to gain a voice that will ultimately determine whether or not America continues down its current road of making all of our global neighbors really nervous, or whether or not it actually starts to make good on all of those promises that we go around talking about, but never really keeping.

Answer 2

I say this with all due respect for you and your wife. This kind of orientation by newbies in the country is one of several important reasons we need for people to come here legally.
If legal immigrants (like the Mrs.) don't have to go through the process of citizenship application, they will never understand what it means to be American. And for most this will translate into not caring, no trying, not contributing as we all do to and for each other.
I don't know how long your wife has been here but in time these things tend to change. As you develope an understanding for what your rights and powers are, you are like a child learning to walk and then run. Some time and your efforts to keep her advised about what is going on around her will work wonders I imagine in the long run. When you have ties to the old country, it's hard to give that up. That will always be a special place in her/our heart. This is why the question of illegal immigration is so important, at least to me. We can't dump this important understanding/perscpective on people who don't get it. It's "casting pearls before swine' so to speak.
I have no problem with legal immigration, as it requires a committment, a learning of the language and an understanding of what it means to be American. It also requires a rather big responsibility.
I for one, do hope your wife and all others like her come around to seeing the importance of what it means to be an American in this day and age.

Answer 3

My father (green card from Italy) wishes to be buried there. In some countries, should you choose to apply for US citizenship, they may be deemed a traitor and be banished -- never to return. On the other-hand, especially since 911, if she chooses a career that requires some sort of clearance, she will be required to be a US citizen. Have you ever visited a company on business, signed in the guest book and seen a column that says "Are you a US citizen?". Citizenship permeates everything is the US these days.

Answer 4

I Would tell her she should become a citizen to say thank you to America for providing her a home and a way of life that may not have been available in Asia. It would show her gratitude and respect for every generation that has fought a war for this country. If she doesn't, she is part of this whole immigration problem. We want immigrants to become Americans. We don't want divisions between races and cultures. We want the"melting pot" not just a bunch of random vegetables simmering in a pot that is about to boil over. Every one loves Fondue! I hope she changes her mind and takes the leap towards citizenship. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, the way things are heading nowadays, you actually can be deported even if you're a "legal immigrant" ... sad but true, I've heard of such cases ... as an American citizen, that would never arise ... not a very good point I agree, but true nonetheless ...

Answer 6

Many reasons besides voting. We do have benefits when they get older that she might need. Too long to list. Check it out on the web. I do know people who wish they had done it and didn't.

Answer 7

people from different countries would want to come here for many reasons.
Like they could get a better job here and earn more money, or they can get a better home, or they like the weather here, ect. They just would like something the place they were going.

Answer 8

Well, my 'forecast' is that if you're an ILLEGAL alien in the US, that is, a non-green-card holder that's not a US citizen, there's going to be more pressure in the future for you to go back whence you came.