not born in pakistan but coming here as a 6 month old baby and living here for 12 years of my life(im 13 now) but being brought up here all my life(i will be a citizen in 2009), am i an american now because i lived in america all my life or am i not one because im not a citizen yet so do i have to wait until 2009 to become an american or am i one now because i grew up here??
2007-08-23 06:46:30 · 12 answers · asked by some person 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
If you were born in America you would be a citizen. When you become a citizen in 2009 you will be American then.
But UNTECHNECALLY: you are basically American if you've lived here all of your life except for six months.
The law says you are not an American yet, but in 2009 you will be.
2007-08-23 06:56:58 · answer #1 · answered by Debs 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are not an American citizen until you get your citizen papers. You could have been a citizen as early as 5 if your parents had become citizens after being here for 4 years.
2007-08-23 14:50:41 · answer #2 · answered by MICHAEL R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question can be answered from different perspectives.
If we first consider it from a "legal" perspective, then yes, you probably have to wait until 2009 if that's what the law says.
However, from a more ecsoteric point of view: You are a citizen of any culture if you embrace and reflect the values and behaviors of that culture. A good example to compare America with might be the Roman empire. Roman did not simply enslave every group of people it encountered, rather, it showed them a way of life and culture that they had not known before. Many people of the ancient world considered themselves Roman, not because they took a test or had a pedigree name. They considered themselves Roman because they valued what Rome (the concept) stood for. In fact, back in the day, many people who considered themselves Roman had never even been to Rome.
2007-08-23 13:58:38 · answer #3 · answered by Engineer Guy 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Legally when you become a Citizen you become an American by choice.
2007-08-23 13:52:41 · answer #4 · answered by kayxa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
being an American citizen means you were born here or have gained citizenship. you will not be considered a citizen til2009 when you get your documentation
2007-08-23 14:15:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
American by culture.
Not yet an American by nationality until you receive your citizenship in 2009.
2007-08-23 14:44:24 · answer #6 · answered by Ray G 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are not a citizen until your papers become final. Otherwise you can be whatever you want.
2007-08-23 14:45:07 · answer #7 · answered by Mindbender 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Being American comes from the Heart.What does your Heart tell you?
2007-08-23 14:06:35 · answer #8 · answered by john 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, but technically 'no not yet.'
2007-08-23 14:41:31 · answer #9 · answered by Michael3 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will be soon.
2007-08-23 14:07:01 · answer #10 · answered by Greg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋