Why do some people want to immigrate to another country yet not become a citizen
By BlueStarMom1
@BlueStarMom1 (931)
United States
October 24, 2007 3:44pm CST
I am wondering why someone would want to leave their homeland and go to another country to live - yet not become a citizen of that country.
This is something that really puzzles me. I hear immigrants talk about fleeing there countries because the government is corrupt or their income is to low or because the don't have any freedoms, there's not enough work, etc.
I understand that perfectly. But if they are fleeing to another country for a better life then why not become a legal citizen of that country and contribute to the society.
If they come to escape a bad life but want to remain a citizen of their homeland then I wonder why they didn't stay in their homeland and work to make it better.
America doesn't corner the market on "of the people,but the people". I would like to see the citizens of each and every nation ban together to make their land the best.
I am proud that so many people want to come to America because they think we have it made. But generations of Americans had to work hard for all of our rights and privilges. They didn't just fall into our laps.
If I lived in a country outside the US the last thing I would do it turn my back on it. I am a loyalist and I really feel I would have to stay there and fight to make my country better.
I guess some of you may think this is silly but I really do believe in loyalty to ones own.
I think everyone should be proud of their country and do what ever they can to make it the best country in the world. If you really can't do that in your country then when you go to another country become a citizen and help make it the greatest.
2 people like this
8 responses
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
24 Oct 07
Well... like you say... you are a loyalist and a patriot.
Those like me who leave their country... are not loyalists and patriots... otherwise we would not leave our country in the first place.
Citizenship is only a piece of paper which gives you the right to vote. Besides that... who said that we don't contribute to our new country? What does citizenship has to do with contributing? We earn money... and we spend it. This is our contribution to the economy of the country.
I prefer to regard myself as a citizen of the world. Patriotism has been define as something which unite and entice people to go to war. Patriotism is about caring for your country and not giving a stuff about the rest of the world. There is far too much patriotism in America... if you ask me.
4 people like this
@BlueStarMom1 (931)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Thank you for responding. I would like to say that being a citizen of the United States is a lot more than a piece of paper to me.
As far as to much patriotism in America.
Well how do the rest of you feel about that.
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
25 Oct 07
My children and I moved from Canada to the U.S 4 yrs ago and I have NO DESIRE AT ALL to become a U.S citizen..why? Becuase i REFUSE to give up my British and Canadian status and dont want my kids to ahve to give up their Canadian status..Becoming a U.S citizen would require that and its not worth it to me....
"I really do believe in loyalty to ones own. I think everyone should be proud of their country and do what ever they can to make it the best country in the world. If you really can't do that in your country then when you go to another country become a citizen and help make it the greatest."
I am very loyal to Canada, I'm very proud to be a Canadian, always have been always will be. Just because I moved to the U.S doesnt mean I no longer think Canada is the greatest country in the world nor does it mean I dont support Canada in any way possible...I moved here because my husband is American and he works here traveling back and forth after 9/11 for him became a very trying thing, so we decided to move here...I didnt move here becuase my country sucks..it was just the most logical solution to our problem..
3 people like this
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
26 Oct 07
As for me fellow filipinos, those who leave the country are seeking better opportunities. A chance to atleast escape poverty, to establish better future for their family.
I believe they also pay taxes there, so I don't see any problem in it. As long as they are eligible and legal immigrants, they have papers and other supporting documents, then I believe there's no big deal about it.
Everyone deserves a chance to grab every opportunity that knocks on their doors, they went to foreign lands to fulfill their dreams and WORK..
@JaLuvYa (175)
• United States
25 Oct 07
I think it is really hard to judge someone unless you have been in their shoes. There are many different people that come here for many different reasons. There are some that come here and abuse the system, commit crimes and don't pay taxes etc.- they need to be deported (If you want to be here- act like it) but those law abiding people that are working hard and trying to be citizens- we need to stop making it so hard for them to be legal citizens and raise families here. The process to citizenship is not easy.
2 people like this
@laurika (4532)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Hi my friend, i am sorry but in this one I would not agree with you.
Ok , let me tell you this situation is very similar to me.but I didn't run from my country becuase of not enough work or so, but because my partner is American.I would be glad to live in my country , but he doesn't speak my language, so it would be not possible.But I think we could have a great life there too.But now when i will marry him and they would ask me to choose citizen ship, I would keep mine, because I am proud of where I am from.
Now in general, ok?this has nothing to do with me.
you said then why the people don't stay in their homeland and try to make the coutry better.Beucause one person cannot make a different.And it didn't depend on them.the most time it depend on politic and what we can do about it?Vote for someone?That is not gonna change much.It would take many years to some coutries to develop.So if they don't want become citizen I understand.Maybe their coutry is not reach and don't have great education, not enough work, but there is still other sucpects they can be proud of.For example of people, nature...Yeah they come to live to the USa to satrt new life, but they can give to the cutry something other, be loyal, work fair, be nice people....and citizen ship?That is not important.
Just my opinion.
@ck0098 (88)
• China
25 Oct 07
Many people in my country want to immigrate to developed countries such as Austrial, Canada and America. There are some reasons for that. Some people see these countries' conditions are much better than our's. And they have money to choose a better country. Another reason is many people who have different opinions about government, some of them are forced to other countries.
2 people like this
@tatzkie (644)
• Philippines
28 Oct 07
as for us filipinoes. we leave our country to foreign land to look for jobs simply because our country cant give us descent job. However, most of the filipinos abroad say that they want to die in the philippines or live the last days of their lives in the motherland, because they feel that there is no place like home. Some call it patriotism, but for me it just a sense of belongingness. If only the philippines can provide descent jobs to its people, i think there is no need for people to leave the country.
