need to present reason to become US citizen

[trezifl]

I live in Florida USA, I'am wanting to become a US citizen. I've been married for 5 years and had my green card for 5 1/2 years. My problem is that I want to keep my German citizen ship, in order to to that I have to have a reason to become US citizen like in a inheritance law or tax law kind of way where I can say because I'm german I cannot do this or qualify for that, just wanting to vote and safe myself applying for new green cards is appearently not good enough. Can you give me some pointers???

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

No, there are really no such reasons. If you want to become a US citizen, then you lose your German citizenship since Germany does not allow you to retain dual citizenship. Technically, you can, as a permanent resident of the US, do anything t hat a US citizen can do, other than vote or sponsor certain relatives for permanent residence or perhaps qualify for certain types of aid. HOwever, these are probably insufficient for the retention of German citizenship. Also keep in mind that being a permanent resident and not a US citizen does possibly subject you to deportation in the event of a commission of a crime and as a US citizen you can choose to reside anywhere in the world for as long as you like whereas as a permanent resident, you cannot do so and not risk losing your permanent resident status.

 

[trezifl]

don't want to give up german citizenship

hello this is trezifl again ... trying to keep my german citizen ship.... I went on a german website you can apply to keep your citizen ship thats what they need the reason for... I also have 2 kids that I want to give the opportunity to go to germany if they want to do you think that would fly?

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

Well, I would suggest you talk to an accountant or tax attorney so they can advise you on the financial obstacles, if any, to remaining a permanent resident and being able to do what it is you want to do. As far as the immigration side of it is concerned, I have already told you what the issues are. If you do not find a sufficient reason to document to the German government that will enable you to retain your German citizenship, then you simply remain a permanent resident. You weigh the options of what is more important to you because sometimes you just cannot have it both ways, unfortunately.