Citizenship Benefits

With all the talk of citizenship changes, it's got me wondering.

What, in your opinion, are benefits of gaining UK citizenship as a US native?

First thing that comes to my mind is that if we move back to the US, then decide we want to move back to the UK, no visa process to go through again!  YAY!

That is the big, practical plus!  You can also vote, if that's a consideration.  Also, unless you have a crystal ball and know for a fact that your DH will never move elsewhere in the EU, it would be much easier to do if you have UK citizenship.

As far as I know, the only negative is the cost (which isn't bad right now compared to what it might be down the road a bit).

You won't have to deal with UKBA ever again.

If you've come to love the UK (despite problems with certain aspects like immigration), then it'd be awesome to become one of its citizens.  You'd be British, and the difference between you and people who were born with citizenship is that this was the home you chose, and not the one that chance chose for you.  Plus, you earned the right to be British, even with the current system.

Plus all the voting, moving to other parts of the EU, and lack of having to deal with immigration stuff that everyone else mentioned.

One benefit I can see is just to make it easier to travel with my family. Since DH and DD have british passports, if we travel to Europe or returning to the UK no need to worry about going in different queues at immigration. 

As well as the points already made, British Citizenship also gives you the ability to live and work in any other EEA country.

A big fat ditto to all that's been said already.  And I'll add another one: peace of mind.  I'm up for my ILR at the end of next month and I will be going for naturalisation almost immediately (spousal visa; been here nearly four years).  The thought of not having to save every scrap of paper, not worrying about how changes in government policy will affect me, but being able to participate fully in everything my adopted home has to offer...well, it'll be well worth the cost.

If you've come to love the UK (despite problems with certain aspects like immigration), then it'd be awesome to become one of its citizens.  You'd be British, and the difference between you and people who were born with citizenship is that this was the home you chose, and not the one that chance chose for you.  Plus, you earned the right to be British, even with the current system.

I like this!  I always felt I was born British, but it was just my mom who actually was - but I was conceived here!  And living here has just made me feel in nearly all respects that I've come home...so, practicalities aside, I'm glad I'll finally have the opportunity to have the government recognise my Britishness - I have, indeed, earned it.

Very good, very good!

Thanks for all the responses guys...brought up a few things I had forgotten about/never considered!

Well, I think it helps that you can keep your American citizenship as well.  I have often wondered to myself (as an exercise in thought) if I had to choose, which would I choose?  I think the new immigration policies are going to make it harder to stay in the UK without naturalising.  Would you stay an American citizen if you couldn't have both?

As far as I know, the only negative is the cost (which isn't bad right now compared to what it might be down the road a bit).

I was doing some research for a friend into applying for Irish citizenship as a descendant, and I was surprised and a little happy that Irish naturalisation apps cost €950! Made me feel not as bad about the £720 I just paid.