If I was born in Mexico, and came to the U.S., am I not considered American?

Question

I’m actually a Mexican-American! Born in Stanford, CA.
This is just a general question that arose in college whereas many students where confused about where the line should be drawn between American or not! This isn’t regarding Citizenship!

Thanks Lori! Your right! ;) We also decided to use Mexico as country to see what type of response we would receive from this community of Yahoo users! I could have easily used another country to take it’s spot but since Mexico is highly debated, especially when it comes to immigration, we chose it! Good Day!

Answer 1

If you are not a citizen yet, then no.

In that case I think it has to do with how each person feels, do you feel Mexican, or American or both? I posted a question asking if a naturalized citizen is considered more or less American than Natives. A lot of the answers I got said "more". I am a Mexican American born in Mexico and naturalized American. I feel love for both places and miss one while in the other and viceversa...What people consider me, I don't know. My friends consider me a friend and don't stop to think of what nationality I am. When I got my citizenship I wrote a letter to all my friends and co-workers who always treated me like an equal. Some answered they didn't even know I was foreign, others said they were happy I became an American. I was ambiguous, as I felt I was cutting with a part of my life I didn't really want to leave behind, then I realized I didn't have to, because I could be both...

Answer 2

If you are born in the United States, you are automatically a U.S. citizen by law. You may obtain a U.S. passport and you may never be refused entry into the U.S. Your question though is not about citizenship though. You are "American" if you truly believe the U.S. to be your home country. You are an "American" if you pledge to the American flag and no other. You are an "American" if you believe you are an "American" and you love this country like every "American" loves it. But you may never call Mexico "home" if you are an American.

Answer 3

Not if you came here illegally. If you came here within the law, and you have renounced your Mexican citizenship in favor of being an U.S. Citizen, then yes you can be American. Oh, and just because you were born on the North American Continent doesn't make you a U.S. American.

Answer 4

If you were born in Mexico you would be a Mexican, having one parent from the states would also give you American citizenship if you did so choose to file for it.

I get the whole *American Continent* thing too, it all gives me a headache.

Answer 5

The only country in the world that currently has the word "America" in its name is the United States of America; therefore, people who are not citizens of the United States are not "Americans".

It is true that the Western Hemisphere has been referred to as "The Americas", "North America", and/or "South America", but those are generic regions and not individual nations.

Answer 6

If you came to USA with Mexican parents but born in USA, you are an Anchor Baby. Anchor babies have American Citizenship.
They can use you to get all kinds of undeserving benefits. So can you.
Problem is they really have NO country if they are here illegally.

Answer 7

You will be considered as a Mexican,until you become an American citizen by naturalization.

Answer 8

If you are a Mexican citizen, you are NOT AN AMERICAN! Remember there is a difference between America the country and the north American continent!

Answer 9

In the United States we use the term American to describe a citizen of the United States of America.
If you immigrated to the United States legally,
If you became a citizen of the United States,
If you pay taxes,
If you speak English,
If you fly the American Flag,
If you are proud to be an American,
then you are an American. Welcome!

Answer 10

No you are not an American you are a Mexican, unless both of your parents were Americans or you were born in the US Embassy.....