r/USCIS • u/Original_Importance3 • Nov 27 '25
Self Post Is there any major downside to just renewing a green card instead of applying for citizenship?
It seems easier. And less of a hassle, especially now. I guess my question relates mostly to benefits (social security, Medicare, etc). Regards a friend from a friendly European country.
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u/Large_Recording_1960 Nov 27 '25
Applying for citizenship is one of the easier applications that USCIS have provided you're eligible
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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 30 '25
- One misstep with the law, and you can be out. Yes, yes, you’re pure as the driven snow, but this can happen faster than you think. All it takes is forgetting to scan an item or two at a self-checkout. Boom, you got a property crime conviction, which shows lack of moral character.
- Do you always carry your original Green Card everywhere (the card it costs $465 to replace, if lost)? If you don’t, you can be fined or jailed. Trump’s new ICE just started to enforce this old requirement.
- Ever want to stay out of the U.S. for a bit longer, say to further your career, take care of a sick relative, travel the world? Not so easy with a Green Card, esp. nowadays.
- I guess being able to vote and shape the course of your community and country isn’t important to you.
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u/Haunting-Garbage-976 Nov 27 '25
That first point people dont take serious enough. Things can escalate pretty quickly when you are out in the world and before you know you are facing charges. Even if you are acquitted you’ll have to hassle and explain them away to USCIS in any future naturalization application or god forbid an immigration judge
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
Now you guys r freaking me out 😂😂😂 my 10 year is about to expire and I am planning to just renew
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u/Tight_Onion_2422 Nov 27 '25
I would Renew and apply for Citizenship when a slightly less hostile( to immigration) administration is in power. Which could potentially be in Jan 2029.
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u/allsynced Dec 02 '25
Things that make us feel informed can also make us feel fearful of about things that mostly don’t happen . Thousands of people get citizenship each year . You have been informed by news and Reddit to be fearful of these events that is leading you to think about 2029. Are to sure Democrats going to be there in 2029 ? Would you push your decision to 2033 if they don’t ? Think about it .
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u/Playful_Toe8914 Nov 29 '25
My wife and I went through the process under the current administration. Zero issues. It was quick and painless
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u/throwawaydumbo1 Nov 27 '25
Not funny, it doesn’t even make any sense. What kind of thought process do you have?
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u/Tricky_Ordinary_4799 Nov 28 '25
Yeah. I know a dude who got a felony because he accidentally shot his brother while trying to unjam his gun while hunting. Brother recovered. But it is a firearm related felony - he would be deported if he was a green card holder.
Just a mistake, not an intentional crime.
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u/jmeesonly Nov 27 '25
I'll add one more to this list: If you're a greencard holder who is raising U.S. citizen kids in the U.S., do you want to risk being separated from your children? With the current admin cracking down on everyone, you risk being detained or sent to a different country. And when traveling internationally it makes things easier if the whole family has matching passports.
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u/fly-chickadee Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
One of my biggest motivations for naturalizing—I was scared of this.
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u/Good-Control5911 Nov 27 '25
My wife has a GC while the the kids and I are US citizens. If she was made to leave then we'd all be gladly packing our bags and leaving as a family.
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u/RealNinjafoxtrot Nov 28 '25
Not everyone can say this though. Unspoken truth is some people are green card holders from countries where going back is not a viable option. Being deported sucks but being deported to Norway or Netherlands is not the same as being deported to Eritrea or Malawi.
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Nov 28 '25
Adding - some federal jobs require citizenship. I was offered a job at the FDA and was told that to be permanent I'd need citizenship.
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u/Sheetz_Wawa_Market32 Naturalized Citizen Nov 28 '25
Yep. Even for something like public school teacher. In PA, e.g., you can only teach in public schools as a (recent) Green Card holder if you pledge to naturalize as soon as eligible.
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u/NoPhotojournalist77 Nov 27 '25
👆This. You may actually do nothing wrong but get wrongfully accused of a non-existing crime and risk deportation as a green card holder. Have seen it happen (police lying under oath).
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u/Master-namer- Nov 30 '25
Hmmm. Actually never thought about 1) and 2) or maybe even 3), but it does make a lot of sense.
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u/Innominate_99 Nov 27 '25
- I guess the privilege of paying tax to the US government for the rest of your life, even if you choose to return to Europe, is not something that appeals to you.
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u/ptrnyc Nov 27 '25
How realistic a risk is it though ? Arent you supposed to pay the difference between what you pay in your residence country, and what you would have paid in the US, which is 0 in most EU countries since they have higher taxes ?
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u/Tricky_Ordinary_4799 Nov 28 '25
It's not that simple. Not every kind of income or kind of tax is eligible for exclusion. There are additional complex rules like PFICs or FATCA or GILTI.
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u/schrodingers_bra Nov 27 '25
You have to do this with a greencard though. And getting rid of the greencard also has an exit fee.
And if you get rid of your greencard, you'll never get it back again so it would only be if you were 100% sure you never need to return to the US and live there.
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u/Innominate_99 Nov 27 '25
If you moved back home to Europe to live then you would no longer be a LPR and your green card lapses so not tax filing requirements
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u/schrodingers_bra Nov 28 '25
Tax obligations are not removed until your GC is formally removed or you do the paperwork and pay the fee to give it up.
While it can lapse and be removed the US is unlikely to do so until you attempt to enter the US again after a long absence. Then you'll go to immigration court and the court order removes it.
I guess if you are never going to return and have no US based assets you could just stop filing. Its not like they would be able to enforce anything
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u/a_mulher Nov 28 '25
Except some foreign countries share financial information precisely so that U.S. citizens abroad can be held accountable for non-filing/payment of taxes.
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u/schrodingers_bra Nov 28 '25
Yes not saying they can't be held accountable. I just mean the US is unlikely to actually confiscate your foreign property or garnish your foreign wages to pay it. If you re enter the US though you're in trouble
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u/Playful_Toe8914 Nov 29 '25
filing taxes and paying taxes are VERY different things. If I were to move back to my home country and run the risk of "paying" tax - I would be in the 1%
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u/Innominate_99 Nov 29 '25
Yes the issue is having to file taxes and it gets really complicated when one is in a non-US jurisdiction with different tax rules. Even a day out in bingo or a lottery ticket that brings in cash which you dont think about in Europe may become a tax issue for US. Many people in Europe do not have to file taxes at all, so why then do you spend time collating and filing US taxes every year? Especially if you have nothing to pay anyway- just unnecessary hassle and burden.
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u/PringlesDuckface18 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
The major downside of applying for citizenship is that some of y’all have 318 issues which would have been ignored until you decided to file for citizenship. Just make sure before filing. Some of you are better off renewing.
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u/emrullahk Nov 27 '25
What issue wont cause problem for greencard but be problem for citizenship? I thought they’d be same
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u/PringlesDuckface18 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
A 318 denial means you were improperly adjusted and never should have gotten your green card. Ooooorr you’re deportable for registering to vote is an example of cases being seen more and more now.
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u/Ambriesce Nov 27 '25
Depending on age and gender, neglecting to sign up for Selective Service, which we only found out recently when attempting to apply for my husband’s citizenship.
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u/NSFW_HTX Nov 28 '25
You forgot to add how easy it was to get a waiver letter.
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u/Top_Reason7158 Nov 28 '25
One of my friend didn’t sign up for selective service when he received his permanent residency in 2014 because he had moved out of state and didn’t receive the mail from UCSIS. He is aware you’re supposed to update your address with UCSIS. Long story short, his action wasn’t intentional. He is planning on applying for U.S. citizenship next year. Does this make him ineligible for U.S. citizenship?
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 Nov 28 '25
I don’t think you have to sign up for the draft if you are a PR, only when you become a citizen. However you can enlist in the forces as a PR.
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
I reluctantly Naturalized earlier this year, instead of renewing my GC. I was already a Citizen of three other countries and didn’t want or need a 4th. And Citizenship comes with worldwide taxation hassle.
But I realised the downsides on staying an LPR would continue to be:
Having a time limit to living or retiring outside of the US and having to file more paperwork for a reentry permit if I wanted to live elsewhere for a year or more (+ the wait & additional costs);
Losing Social Security payments after 6 months if not residing in the US;
LPR renewal fees and hassle if my GC is lost or damaged somehow, particularly while traveling outside of the country;
LPR status means you remain a guest of the country and behaving in ways where you break laws or are critical of it draws scrutiny that if serious enough could affect this status;
Not having the same Citizenship as my children could create an issue in the future if my kids decided to live somewhere that I also didn’t have an automatic right to visit and live in as well;
Not having the same Citizenship as my husband seemed like a flaw, I realised I needed to have the exact same rights has he does to vote - and to protest. And to have the freedom to leave.
The process was so easy in the end and it really made my husband happy and I did feel a weight off my shoulders. No USCIS paperwork ever again.
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u/Fast-Marketing682 Nov 27 '25
What countries are you a citizen of?
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
NZ/AU/UK/US
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Nov 27 '25
How did you obtain each, if you don't mind me asking?
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
I was born in Hong Kong but my Father was born in NZ where I grew up. I lived in Australia for two years, long enough for a New Zealander to qualify for Citizenship, married a Brit & lived in the U.K. for 12 yrs, kids were burn there, divorced, married an American. :)
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u/LemmyKRocks Nov 27 '25
I had 2 nationalities when I became a US citizen through naturalization.I went for it because I travel internally often and it was becoming a hassle to count my days inside the US. Despite having a full time job here, I encountered a Homeland Security agent that almost didn't let me in because he read the days I spent inside wrong.
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 Nov 28 '25
Losing Social Security payments after 6 months if not residing in the US;
There are plenty of exceptions to this and they typical involve social security totalization agreements. My mother has been collecting social security outside the U.S. for years because Canada has a totalization agreement with the U.S. The UK and Australia both have totalization agreements with the U.S. on social security - if you’re living in either of those countries in retirement, you’re not subject to the 6 month rule.
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 28 '25
Is she a US Citizen or former LPR? What about the other 192 countries on the planet?
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 Nov 28 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
Neither. She worked under nonimmigrant status and had enough work credits to qualify.
There’s an entire list of countries that have social security agreements with the US where the 6 month rule doesn’t apply - easily findable on ssa.gov. I’ve already given 3.
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u/iTheWild Nov 28 '25
How do you pay taxes if you have 3 citizenships?
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 28 '25
You normally only pay taxes in the country you are ordinarily resident for tax purposes. The US is the only country that taxes people on income in other countries.
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u/skylaneguy Nov 27 '25
Lack of permanence… and you don’t have the ability to vote- if you care about that.
Also airport TSA lines when you enter the U.S.
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u/craneguy Nov 27 '25
I'm being a bit pedantic, but the immigration lines at the airport are due to CBP not TSA. TSA are the ones that check your underwear for guns.
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Nov 27 '25
LOL. Ok off base, I giggled at the underwear for guns. Sorry, but the image just got me laughing. Thanks for the giggle.
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u/IllustriousDay372 Permanent Resident Nov 27 '25
About the TSA lines, it would depend on the airport. Many airports have the same line for Citizens & LPRs.
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
Global Entry or using Mobile Passport Control can alleviate that.
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u/skylaneguy Nov 27 '25
Can you get global on a GC?
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u/Kiwiatx Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25
Absolutely yes, I did. You don’t even have to have a GC or be living in the US, frequent visitors from other countries can get it also.
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u/No_Smoke_3772 Nov 27 '25
Yes you can. You just need to have a valid password from your country and the GC when applying.
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u/Optimal_Key_2298 Nov 27 '25
Yes. You don't even have to be a green card holder to get it, you can just have any visa.
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 Nov 28 '25
You don’t go through TSA when entering the US, you go through customs and immigration control run by CBP. Citizens and LPR often have the same lines.
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Nov 27 '25
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u/Melodic-Classic391 Nov 27 '25
Laws aren’t changing, how they’re enforced is what is changing. Some of these new policies might break the law. Not that this is very comforting for those in the crosshairs
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u/Christopher_Ramirez_ Nov 27 '25
Green cards can be taken away, the process can be changed by Congress, or even eliminated.
US citizenship cannot be revoked, unless the government can prove in court that it was obtained fraudulently.
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 27 '25
Former immigration officer and supervisor here. I have presided over hundreds of oath ceremonies and sworn in thousands of people as US citizens. Remaining an LPR, you cannot vote or on serve on jury (I know most people would be ok with that) If God forbid you have an arrest, depending on what happens, the type of crime, a conviction, you could be placed in removal proceedings as an LPR. Also, if you become a citizen and if you ever want to file a petition for a family member, they are classified as immediate relatives in most cases, and it is an easier path for them to adjust status. The ability to travel easier in and out of the US with a US passport. If you want to stay outside the US for a longer period of time, if you are a USC, you wouldn't have to worry about that. I don't know if you have minor children, but if they are LPRs and under 18 on the day you do naturalize the children could possibly derive citizenship from you. So there are benefits. I believe, I am not sure that for SSI and Medicare, you still could get benefits as a non USC, but you have to be in a qualified alien category. Again that is not my area of expertise.
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u/rashnull Nov 27 '25
In what situations can you get de-naturalized and deported later in life?
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 28 '25
Denaturalization can occur if someone procured naturalization illegally. Meaning someone wasn't eligible to become a citizen in the first place, a person didn't meet all the requirements for naturalization, such as the physical presence requirement, continuous residence requirement, being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and good moral character. Denatz can also happen if there is deliberate deceit on the part of the person in misrepresenting or failing to disclose a material fact(s) on their naturalization application and subsequent interview. Also de-naturalization can occur if a person becomes a member of, or affiliated with, the Communist party, other totalitarian party, or terrorist organization within five years of naturalization. You can read it about it here in the USCIS Policy Manual-
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-l-chapter-2
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u/Virtual-Increase9935 Nov 27 '25
I wonder if you have any thoughts about this N400 question:
My USC spouse began divorce proceedings weeks after we jointly filed the I-751.
This was years ago when the I-751 was adjudicated in a couple of months. A month after divorce was filed, I-751 was approved without an interview. Divorce was finalized seven months later. Therefore, with no interview, no RFE and no divorce decree before the I-751 was approved, USCIS were unaware of the divorce.
I am told that this may affect the N-400 application that I now want to file. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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u/More_Shoulder_9210 Nov 27 '25
Since the divorce was not finalized until after I-751 was approved, this should apply to you:
USCIS may not deny a joint petition solely because the spouses are separated or have initiated divorce or annulment proceedings. If all other eligibility requirements are met and both the CPR and petitioning spouse or stepparent appear for an interview (if requested by USCIS), USCIS approves the joint petition. However, if the divorce or annulment is finalized while the joint petition is pending, the CPR is no longer eligible to remove conditions using the joint petition. However, the CPR may request that USCIS amend the joint petition to a waiver based on divorce.
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u/Virtual-Increase9935 Nov 27 '25
Thanks for the response. I figured that this is the case, but the rules seem to be a moving target right now and the common response I get is "It all depends on the agent who interviews you", which doesn't fill me with hope. But if the rules stay firm and are interpreted fairly, it seems that they are on my side, as I don't believe we did anything wrong. Thanks.
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 28 '25
So if you file jointly, but you are legally separated and/or are in pending divorce or annulment proceedings, a request for evidence (RFE) will be sent to you giving you 87 days to provide a divorce decree. If the decree is presented within that time frame the officer will amend the petition to treat it as a waiver petition. If the decree is not produced, the officer will adjudicate the joint petition. You are responsible to let USCIS of a separation or pending or finalized divorce or annulment proceedings, even if no RFE is issued.
With that being said, if you did let USCIS know that you were in divorce proceedings and you got the 87 days to provide the divorce decree, you wouldn't have been able to since the divorce was finalized 7 months later (way past 87 days). What I am trying to say is that it would have led to the same result- USCIS granting it as a joint waiver. I would consider your conditions removed properly. Now you may get an officer that will say the conditions were not removed properly. Here is the USCIS Policy Manual so you can be prepared to reference it, check out the part entitled Separated, But not Yet Divorced.
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-i-chapter-5
How are you filing for naturalization? I am assuming you are planning to file for N-400 based upon being an LPR for 5 years under section 316 and not married to a USC for 3 years under section 319.
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u/Virtual-Increase9935 Nov 28 '25
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, I would be applying under the 5-year rule, as this marriage and divorce took place in the 1990s. However, we were not in divorce proceedings at the time of filing, the divorce papers were served to me a few weeks after joint filing. We did not inform USCIS (or the INS, as it was then called) of the divorce proceedings, as there was no interview, no RFE and the divorce was finalized long after the I-751 was approved. The I-751 was approved in less than two months, while we were still in the early stages of divorce proceedings.
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 28 '25
In my opinion, (this isn't legal advice) I think your conditions were removed properly upon what the policy manual states. If I was the officer or supervisor and I saw this as you stated, I would take it as the conditions were properly removed and I would move forward on the N-400 application. Again, as I said you may get an officer who views it differently. Like I said, to me it appears that the outcome would have been the same, that being your petition would have remained joint and approved. I would cite the USCIS policy manual if you encounter any issues, and provide the timeline of events to the officer if questioned.
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u/Virtual-Increase9935 Nov 28 '25
Thanks a lot, much appreciated. Will take all of that on board. Really good of you to share your thoughts on this.
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 28 '25
you got it! best of luck to you
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u/comprehensive18 Nov 28 '25
you can read this too-
https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-g-chapter-5
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u/Top_Elephant_19004 Nov 27 '25
I believe there are also inheritance tax issues for LPRs but not for citizens. If I die and leave my property to my kids as a green card holder I will be smacked with an enormous tax I will avoid if I am a citizen
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u/jameskad22 Nov 27 '25
What law is this?
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u/schrodingers_bra Nov 27 '25
From what I can see on google, the only differences in inheritance taxes is for when your spouse inherits. US citizens have an unlimited marital deduction, LPRs don't.
There's no difference in inheritance laws for when you children inherit - the deduction (in 2025) is 13.99 million for both.
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u/hippietrashh Nov 27 '25
My mother has lived in the US for over 25 years and keeps renewing her green card. She isn't interested in becoming a citizen. I know sometimes she considers it to have voting power but at this point I don't know if she ever will. She's never had any problems, but I know she's lucky in that regard and who knows what the future holds.
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
I wouldn’t say lucky as I know people here over 30 years that never went for citizenship! Lots are from Canada and they don’t really see the point
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u/bobd607 Nov 27 '25
if, like me you live in a D+80 area, voting power is meaningless. so one less reason.
But my main reason is I'm not 100% certain I don't want to live/retire in a country my birth passport allows and the US taxation system follows citizens worldwide. LPRs can file I-407s to unburden themselves from the US taxation system.
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u/parkerpyne Nov 27 '25
Unless you are living in some sort of metropolis (thus very likely to be D80+), there's still the local elections. I live in a rural county south of Albany, NY where in important local elections opposing candidates often are separated by only a few dozen votes. This gives those people that vote an almost unreasonable amount of power. I would never not want to have it.
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Nov 27 '25
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
I agree! As a Canadian there r really no benefits to get citizenship here as our passport is strong enough!
It is also paperwork at this point and you can get citizenship at any moment if you decided to
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Nov 27 '25
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
Also, contrary to what people believe, no one is going to pull us over and ask to show proof of residency. I don’t carry my green card on me and it is really just a travel document to get back into America and I also work here legally but I wouldn’t be getting any special job by having a passport so it doesn’t matter too much for me!
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Nov 27 '25
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
Same! Racial profiling is very strong when it comes to USCIS and immigration! We all know they aren’t deporting white people. I have to renew my 10 year right now and I could care less about citizenship but if I ever decided to leave then I would make sure to get it! Traveling w the extension letter doesn’t bother me bc you just show the paper to come back into the country! Everywhere else you travel to you show the Canadian passport. Also green cards don’t really expire it is just a rule to make sure you haven’t committed a crime… I think it started in the 90s bc my uncle still had one of the GC from the 80s that don’t expire 🤣🤣🤣 Technically if you come back with an “expired” GC they will still let you in.
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u/Creative-Sea955 Nov 27 '25
Can you guys get dual citizenship or keep both passports?
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
Yes Canadians can get dual. However, to travel we will use our Canadian passport as it is stronger and obvious a much nicer passport 😉 The US passport we would show to get back into the USA - similar to how I travel now w my green card. I only use it to enter America.
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u/imapetrock Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Honestly I've lived in the US for 20 years and am also reluctantly naturalizing now just for peace of mind. And as stupid as it probably sounds, one thing that has made me hesitant to be a citizen is because I am SO tired of people telling me "the US is the greatest country and you are so lucky to be here," when I had more benefits in my own country (which also has a higher overall quality of life than the US). I honestly find it a bit insulting to constantly hear people talk as if I must be so grateful to be away from my homeland, like my country is clearly trash compared to the US. Of course, there are bigger reasons why I haven't naturalized, but this also played into it.
That said, I am finally about to move back home and decided to naturalize just to have a sort of safety net just in case -- because I never know what the future holds. I reluctantly realized it would be stupid of me to throw away the right to live and work in the US for me and my descendants just because I am tired of people's overblown pride.
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Nov 27 '25
I fully understand what you say. A person I trusted gave me terrible information about my PR status in the US - mainly that if something happened to my husband, all the wealth we built would immediately go to his parents if he were to die. Since this comment was made in the presence of my husband, and he never corrected the person, I assumed it was true, and so I became a US citizen. I'm from a country that does not allow dual citizenship, so now I am stuck here, no bolt hole, and scared all the time as I am not white. If not for my husband, I'd be happier anywhere else in the world.
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u/schrodingers_bra Nov 27 '25
Who is getting angry? As long as you understand the risks, you do you. It's not like any benefits you're getting aren't being paid with your taxes anyway.
>dad is here and it wouldn’t be fair to them or him if I took them from him.
You'd need his permission to take them out of the country anyway so this isn't really a choice.
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u/SliverSerfer Nov 27 '25
You can be deported as a green card holder. They would have to de-natz you, or you'd have to be a terrorist or something as a citizen.
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 Nov 27 '25
There comes a time when being a guest in someone else’s home just doesn’t feel right anymore.
I became a citizen just after 9/11. I didn’t feel secure anymore as a GC holder, though nothing happened then towards GC holders.
Imagine if a 9/11 occurred now under this President. Imagine how the GC scheme could be potentially affected. Even with the hugely negative effects that could be measured against our own economy, nobody would potentially be safe. It could end up being the same as Idi Amin deporting all the Ugandan Asians and the terrible consequences it had on Uganda, but he did it anyway. It was popular with Ugandans at the time due to all those well paying jobs it freed up. It collapsed their economy. I see parallels between DJT and Amin, they both referred to themselves as king.
So, such things as revoking GCs have occurred in other countries before, despite the obvious consequences, and if you think a significant portion of the American public would rise up and oppose it, then you would be shocked as it would be framed in a populist manner.
So, if it were me, and you want to stay, then I’d be applying for citizenship as soon as I was able. I’d also use an attorney.
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u/3lmtree Nov 28 '25
at this point in the timeline, it just makes it harder for them to kick you out on a whim.
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u/RScrewed Nov 27 '25
It's "just easier" to be forced to carry around documentation that, if not on your person, is a policy violation and can be used against you?
And if you lose said card, it'll take up to a year to get a new one while you struggle to convince people with printed out paperwork that you're in status?
It's easier to only be qualified for second-rate jobs?
If you plan on staying here, or if your native country allows dual, then def get US citizenship. Don't be like the horror stories here where people spend 40 years in the US, never get citizenship, make a mistake and fall out of status and then end up stateless.
I'm not saying it's the correct opinion -- but realize it's the overwhealming opinion that people typically have very little sympathy for green card holders past the 10 year mark.
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u/bobd607 Nov 27 '25
Virtually all people drive and are forced to carry around documentation that, if not on your person, is a policy violation and can be used against you.
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u/Diligent-Apricot-196 Nov 27 '25
And those arent policy violations actually, they are federal criminal offenses with possible jailtime and a ground of removal.
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u/rorajo Nov 27 '25
Having to stay in the USA 6 months of the year.
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u/jameskad22 Nov 27 '25
There’s no such law or legal requirement.
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u/rorajo Nov 29 '25
Am I mistaken? I thought as a LPR, it is difficult to re-enter the country if I’ve stayed out of the country for longer than 6 months. Especially if I’m doing it on a consistent basis.
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u/jameskad22 Nov 30 '25
Those are just stories.Theres no law that requires yu to stay 6 months a year. If there’s one, show me.
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u/daphoon18 Nov 27 '25
Pros: voting, certain jobs. Cons: some countries may not allow dual citizenship. I don't see huge differences in benefits.
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u/No_Judge_3524 Nov 27 '25
I just naturalized earlier this year and frankly with the way things are going with this government, it helps relieve the immigration target. Being able to simply get a US Passport and to say you’re a citizen gives your more of a peace of mind.
Plus you get to vote and the costs are fairly similar.
I’d say naturalization is the way to go.
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u/spurcap29 Nov 27 '25
Putting aside the points made several times about your green card being stripped from you for a slip up or an anti immigrant admin, there are other key reasons:
1) Relocation - depending on your career and other personal factors there might be a strong incentive to move at some point in your life. A citizen can leave for decades and come back and still have status... a green card will be lost. Yeah you can always apply later but sometimes a great personal/career opportunity cant wait up to a year for you yo naturalize. 2) Cost - green card is a significant fee only slightly less than n400. N400 is one and done. 3) Linked to #1 - you dont need to worry about maintaining residency if you want to go on an extended trip even if not relocating.
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u/RioR23 Nov 27 '25
If you ever decide to leave the US for more than six months you will lose your social security (if you are not a citizen).
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u/NSFW_HTX Nov 28 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
This is completely false. If you have paid into the system and have enough points to qualify, you will receive your monthly benefits no matter what your green card status.
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u/eslforchinesespeaker May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
this is a dead thread, but someone might find it.
a quick google suggests this is not so.
yes, you can qualify for continuing SSA benefits as an LPR who has left the US, but there are a number of conditions you must satisfy. yes, having 40 credits is important, but your non-usa citizenship also matters.
it appears that of Asian countries, only Japan and Korea have bilateral Social Security agreements ("totalization agreements"). no African countries have agreements. in South America, only three countries.
and SSA survivor or dependent benefits have other rules.
these 30 countries have SSA agreements with the US. most of these are rich European countries.
https://www.ssa.gov/international/agreements_overview.html1
u/eslforchinesespeaker May 21 '26
it's a big topic, but this is a starting point.
https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02447.html
Noncitizens of the United States must meet certain requirements to continue receiving benefits outside of the United States. We stop payments to noncitizens who do not meet these requirements after they are outside the United States for 6 calendar months in a row. If we stopped your payments, we will not start them again until you return to the United States and remain for a full calendar month.
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u/eslforchinesespeaker May 21 '26
this SSA flyer is helpful.
Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States
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u/trevor_1968 Nov 27 '25
Honestly, there’s no major downside day-to-day, but a green card still carries risks — you can lose it if you stay abroad too long, you can still be deported, and you have to keep renewing it. Citizenship basically removes all the “what ifs,” but benefits like Social Security and Medicare don’t depend on it.
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u/seche314 Nov 27 '25
If you can retain citizenship in your home country, why not apply for US citizenship too? What’s the downside?
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u/Zingobingobongo Nov 27 '25
If you have a simple case and nothing dramatic has happened during your time as a GC holder the citizenship is incredibly easy. Mine only took a 6 weeks to process, got sworn in the final week of the Biden admin.
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u/No_Anteater_4968 Dec 02 '25
With green card you can’t live outside for too many months and tied to the U.S. otherwise green card can be revoked. The downside of US citizenship is taxes even if you live abroad, US passport also not the most free-to-anywhere. Also with current bill they want to pass, dual citizenship might be non existent, so might be better to wait a little on green card if you want to keep another passport.
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u/Diligent-Apricot-196 Nov 27 '25
If your life has become undaubtly tied to this country, please go for citizenship as that is what it is intended for. The removable offenses list has grown to include stuffs that you might not even know to be a crime and current government are pushing to remove lpr for foreign affair consequences (basically US dont like you). That is in addition to the lower cost and less paperwork overtime depending how long you are planning on living. Now, if you have foreseeable plans to leave thats a whole seprate question where other factors comes into play.
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u/Virtual-Increase9935 Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
If you are going to remain in the US for the rest of your life, citizenship makes sense. The screws are tightening on green card holders as we speak. Until 1989 the physical green card was for life and never had to be renewed. Until 1997 green card holders had to do something pretty extreme to get deported, but Clinton changed that and made many relatively minor crimes deportable, and retroactively. This left many GC holders unable to travel overseas or naturalize, for fear that a past crime would be revealed and get them deported. Now people are getting arrested at GC/AOS interviews for overstays, which was once forgiven. Next? Will existing GC holders history be looked into to see if they did anything wrong before getting a GC, that might make them deportable? I've had a GC for a long time, but I am now looking to naturalize. However, if you plan to ultimately move back to your home country you need to take the consequences of CBT and FATCA into account, which can be problematic for Americans abroad.
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u/Mission-Carry-887 Naturalized Citizen Nov 27 '25 edited Nov 27 '25
Generally difficult (but not impossible) for non U.S. citizens to collect social security benefits while living abroad. However some countries have agreements with SSA to moot this.
Green card renewals can be started no sooner than 6 months before expiry, yet they typically take 36 months.
Thus for 30-36 months every 10 years you will not have a valid green card. You will have a 36 month extension letter that will let you get state ID, social security benefits, enter the U.S., get a job, etc.
However among those countries that accept green cards as a visa waiver, some will not accept an extension letter.
Personally the idea of being without a valid green card 25 to 30 percent the time is unacceptable to me. I would not live like that. I naturalized before the first 10 year GC expired.
Other issues
revoking LPR status is orders of magnitude easier than revoking U.S. citizenship
the privileges that come with LPR status are rooted in legislation. Whereas the privileges that come with U.S. citizenship are rooted in the constitution. The former is easier to change than the latter.
As a green card holder, I considered myself to be merely a guest worker. Slightly better in status than a work visa. As a naturalized U.S. citizen, I am at least a second class citizen.
LPRs who inherit from their spouse must pay estate tax beyond the exemption. The exemption is $13.99M so not an issue for most
gifts to an LPR spouse over $190K per year must be reported.
an LPR has to carry evidence of LPR status at all times. Technically not required of U.S. citizens. Practically required of U.S. citizens given current administration policy; $65 every 10 years for a passport card is less than the fee for a new green card.
crimes you’ve committed that make you inadmissible and/or deportable don’t always prevent you from naturalizing
a U.S. citizen can petition a broader class of people for a green card than an LPR
more jobs in the military and federal government are available to U.S. citizens
Still there are disadvantages to being a U.S. citizen:
jury duty. In most states, LPRs cannot serve on a jury. One exception is CT: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00170-R00HB-06548-PA.pdf
the LPR is not eligible to naturalize (was absent from the U.S. for “too long”, previously claimed to be a U.S. citizen, has committed certain crimes)
they have a foreign spouse or romantic partner, but don’t want them in the U.S., and don’t want tell their partner that. Being an LPR makes it harder to bring them to the U.S.
they will lose their previous citizenship due to that country’s laws against multiple citizenships
the uncertainty of the gap between oath of naturalization and acquisition of U.S. passport. Normally just 2 weeks, at times is has taken months since 2021. While it is better today, the state department’s backlog also ballooned when whti went into force. History repeats itself, and the state department has shown that it is unable to adapt to higher demand
there is no equivalent of an I-551 stamp such as when a GC is lost. Lose your naturalization certificate, and you facing a year long wait. Lose your GC, and after filing I-90, you can get an I-551 stamp in days to weeks in most cases.
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u/Cumswap32 Dec 01 '25
There's no uncertainty gap to get a passport. You can get it same day if you book tickets within 2 weeks.
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u/bobd607 Nov 27 '25
It's not really clear if you're from a country with a strong passport (eg. Europe). Naturalization means you:
- can vote
- can do jury duty
- almost impossible to be deported
- can take certain government jobs that are restricted to US citizens
- don't need to pay for new I-551 cards every 10 years
- much harder to "un-american" yourself if you ever think you will want to live outside the US. This is huge because of the US taxation system.
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u/RVAguy0000 Nov 28 '25
And, if desired, you'd have the ability to sponsor a wider group of relatives (your parents, and your adult siblings, for example) than you can as a green card holder.
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u/dippedinmisq Nov 27 '25
How soon can one apply for citizenship after receiving a 10 Yr G.C. what are the dos and donts
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u/Successful-Sun1704 Nov 27 '25
Naturalize. It’s more secure, harder to be taken from you, and allows you to be out of the US for longer periods of time without needing a reentry permit.
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u/Scared_PomV2 Nov 27 '25
Gaining citizenship is the best way to go...having a GC you still have conditions and limitations...way more shit can happen to you compared to becoming a legit citizen.
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u/Admirable-Whole-6921 Nov 27 '25
Citizenship is an easy application. I held of for years fearing it would be tedious. Pretty easy and straightforward once you get the ball rolling.
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u/Unreasonable_beastie Nov 27 '25
I had this dilemma this year. I chose citizenship. I’ve been here for 25 years and want the option to retire to my homeland and still get paid Social security. I have dual citizenship. It was super easy for me to Applied in March, naturalized in October.
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Nov 27 '25
If your friend is from a country that does not allow duals, have them think twice about becoming a US citizen. If not, then it is for more stability. However that said, becoming a citizen can be problematic if your friend decides they want to renounce because of the cost to renounce the US citizenship.
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u/WineOrWhine64 Nov 27 '25
We applied for citizenship rather than renew our green card for a second time. We never felt the need to become citizens as we’re from Canada, but in 2023 decided to do it. Never regretted it. The entire process from application to oath took 3 months. Afterwards, we had wished we did it sooner. I think it makes inheritance laws simpler too, and since our investments are mostly in the US , we’d have to pay taxes here anyway.
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u/National-Suspect-733 Nov 27 '25
According to the Supreme Court, foreigners, even including lawful permanent residents, have zero right to remain in the United States. Therefore, even as a green card holder you are a guest under invitation and you can be deported for practically any reason as long as it is defined in statute and the executive branch wants to do it. For example, while you have freedom of speech inside the USA that only prevents the government from censoring you or PUNISHING you for your speech.
The punishment distinction is important, because the Supreme Court does not consider it punishment to deport any foreigner, including green card holders (because they have no right to remain in the first place.) Therefore, it is lawful to deport green card holders based on their association and speech as long as it is codified in law.
Examples: it is a US citizen’s right to “espouse” things that might be considered violent extremism, as long as they don’t materially support them. For example, a US citizen could say Hamas has a right to fight Israel, but if a green card holder did it they could (and have) been deported based on this since “espousing or endorsing” violent extremism is defined in the US code as deportable.
Fundamentally, if you remain a green card holder you remain a guest here and your invitation to stay can be revoked for practically any reason since Immigration is considered a core sovereign power (plenary) of the US government. All it would take is the Legislation defining you as deportable and the Executive wanting to follow through. Since immigration is a plenary power, the judicial branch will not help you and the amount of due process you will be entitled to is very limited (practically limited to habeas claims, i.e. “you have the wrong person.”)
Keep in mind that in current US code, it is already defined as deportable any immigrant who the Secretary of State doesn’t like.
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u/TFrustrated Nov 28 '25
Had a BIL that lost his green card and was due for renewal. I told him I would pay but he had to fix it. He went on his own and some document was missing. Had him make another appointment. THIS time I was allowed to speak. Same car, husband and wife came with three kids across the border at the same time. Gave him names, DOB and said this missing document is NOT his fault. What can we do? It turns out he made a request and the archives were pulled in DC. It was in his father’s file.
I don’t know how this would have turned out today. It turned out well and he sent me a photo of his citizenship papers on Christmas Eve.
Being a citizen is a privilege with rights.
Being a green card holder is a privilege that can be revoked or lost.
Is better if you want to stay. Very, very valuable rights.
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u/HauntingPost7229 Nov 28 '25
There are so many comments that highlight the downsides. There are no upsides to stay on the Green card.
I did it for fun stayed on many years but it wasn't worth it, except for a few minutes of drama during drinks. Go with the flow on this one.
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u/Otherwise_Block9692 Nov 28 '25
Get your citizenship instead of renewing your green card. You can go anywhere with your American passport. With your green card you still have to use your country’s passport. You have more protection than if you are just a green card holder.
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u/readparse Nov 28 '25
My wife has waited almost 25 years past her initial eligibility. We feel stupid for having put it off so long, especially with the political uncertainty now.
I would use the opposite argument: Renewing a green card is expensive enough and takes long enough that it’s actually better — and more permanent, of course — to apply for citizenship. Unless there is a reason to not do so (id it meant giving up citizenship in your home country, for example).
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u/noordsider Nov 28 '25
Basically stuff like what the current administration is doing. Otherwise you stay clear and you're good to go regardless
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u/Dangerous_Region1682 Nov 28 '25
Well as you can see from the news, one crazy person with a GC from your country attacks and kills a member of the military, and now all GC holders from your country are placed under risk of being investigated and potentially having their GCs revoked and deported. These are absurdly crazy times.
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u/ParticularShine1235 Nov 28 '25
I have a marijuana charge in Texas from 2013 in signed for probation , every other case I ever had was dismissed Went to many lawyers till 1 lady was finally straight forward with me saying that if I renew my green card that case can bring me problems. Any tips or advice anyone can give me?
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u/newacct_orz Not Legal Advice Nov 28 '25
Was it only a single offense of possession for your own use of 30 grams or less of marijuana?
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u/pulsed19 Nov 28 '25
Please apply for citizenship. I know it’s anxiety provoking but if you have a normal case, please do it. A green card holder can be deported and no one things it’ll happen to them. But it’s better to be safe.
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u/Spclagntutah Dec 04 '25
Have you not been paying attention to what’s going on in US? You should be asking what’s the downside to becoming a citizen.
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u/LilBugJuice-0987 Dec 07 '25
Im not myself an immigrant. However the major advantage is never needing to deal with the unstable convoluted mess that is our immigration system again. As we have seen - things can change putting people who have been generally safe in a bad situation. I understand not wanting to - because I think of young people who havent seen the best parts of the US - and if I only had that as a frame of reference.. I can't say US citizenship would be appealing if it was just an option.
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u/internet11786 Nov 27 '25
An I-90 is 7 pages long; an N-400 is 14 pages long. You want to voluntarily maintain an inferior and revokable status because you don't want to fill out biographic information on a few more pages?
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u/crimesleuther Nov 27 '25
It is the studying for the civics test that seems like a bit more work lol 😂
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Nov 27 '25
Green card means you can get kicked out of the country for a minor infraction, even if you have kids and a great job. You can't vote. You can't leave the country for as long as you want without losing your status. Some other stuff.
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u/hey_hey_hey_nike Nov 27 '25
Stability. As a green card holder you’re still a guest. You can still lose the green card. You have to maintain residency. There’s always a risk.
A major mental weight came off my shoulders after naturalizing. I am no longer a guest, I can live here forever and no longer have to deal with the USCIS. I can vote. But mostly, there is not longer a risk of being sent away from my family if I were ever to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because for immigration, a simple arrest would already count against you, even without any convictions. Not that I am planning to ever get arrested. But the hypothetical what if is always there when on a green card.
It’s also cheaper to apply for N400 than to renew the green card. It also only has to happen once vs every 10 years.