Taking my Brit born child to the US

Don't be sorry! I think it's a legit question and I'd hate to be in your situation.

I've done it years ago so I know that's not a help.  My two teenagers have travelled alone to the US on UK passports recenttly and told immigration that they were there to visit Grandparents and one of them has USA as place of birth and didn't have any trouble.

My daughter is a dual citizen and I'm going to let her decide when she is older if she wants to renounce one or the other.  It keeps the option open for your child, even if you don't want them to be a US citizen.  That being said, you should have the right to travel between the two.  But if you even have a reason that you need to move back, I wouldn't want the child's citizenship to be an issue.  Do you mind if I ask why you don't want him to become a dual national other than the selective service thing?

To me, this is the best advice yet.  I'm not a dual citizen (yet) because of the way British nationality law works for British women passing their citizenship to their foreign-born children.  My mom always says she wouldn't have registered any of us even had it been possible...but, that is making a HUGE decision for your child...you just don't know how they're going to feel about many things when they grow up.  Can you imagine how your child might feel some day if you, for instance, were able to renounce for him at this age?  He may be perfectly happy about it, but I know how the other option feels...

Being practical, I think that you are going to get pulled at immigration trying to enter the US with some American children and one British child...how are you going to explain that??

dont forget about the taxes ricki! when you child starts working, he has to file his US taxes even if he never set foot there! reason number 9949545 why my daughter will not be a dual citizen unless she decides to become one

I've done it years ago so I know that's not a help.  My two teenagers have travelled alone to the US on UK passports recenttly and told immigration that they were there to visit Grandparents and one of them has USA as place of birth and didn't have any trouble.

Yes Mindy I know at one time it wasn't ever questioned. When I took Coby to Chicago at 8 months old on is Brit passport nothing was ever mentioned. I never knew there was this silly law in fact. But today things are different. They've really clamped down in things. 

But wouldn't your child have to be earning over $80k a year to have to pay taxes? By the time they could do that, they would be old enough to decide if they want to renounce or not. I know State taxes are another issue, but if your child never lived in one of the states, then how could they pay taxes there?

As for the SS, I doesn't bother me, personally. I think a draft is highly unlikely and even if it did happen, again, there are ways to avoid it if your son felt that strongly about it.

I understand why people get upset about this, though. Don't get me wrong. It's arrogant of the US to try to enforce this.

TBH, Ricki, I personally would risk it if I really didn't want to get the US passport. But that's just me. Would your DH even agree to it anyway? Doesn't he have to sign the paperwork as well? If he won't, then there's your argument I guess?

he US gov't wants me to register my son as a US citizen so they can issue him a SS number (at my cost by the way) and then when he's 18 he'll have to register with the selective service.

I've had similar discussions with (of all people) our landlords - she's british, he's turkish, and they have a son and a daughter, and aren't getting a turkish passport for the little boy, due to future military obligations, etc.  I was concerned about any future draft on my potential sprogs, too.  Someone told me recently that dual-nationals aren't eligible for the selective service - but I don't think that's actually the case. 

You could always have him commit treason or genocide.... 

TBH, Ricki, I personally would risk it if I really didn't want to get the US passport. But that's just me. Would your DH even agree to it anyway? Doesn't he have to sign the paperwork as well? If he won't, then there's your argument I guess?

I thought about risking it too but seems like everytime I go to the US its either for a funeral or to take my sons to see the beast for visitation. Just once I would like to go for a visit that's stress free.  
As for my husband if I wanted to get Coby and Jack registered as US citizens he would sign of course no problem.

Someone told me recently that dual-nationals aren't eligible for the selective service - but I don't think that's actually the case. 

Considering that even US green card holders are required to sign up for Selective Service if they're at the right age, I'd be shocked if dual nationals were exempt.

I really don't think it's a case of you can't take your child in on a UK passport.  I think it's just that you might be jeopardizing his chances of American citizenship should he wish to assert it at some point.

But I'm no US immigration expert. On our last trip over the BA employee said to us at check-in "At last somebody who understands US immigration laws."  My husband and I burst out laughing!  I wanted to say "As if anybody understands US immigration laws!"  We're afraid of immigration laws is more like it - in the US and the UK.

I would be going alone actually. I already thought of that  
If the US gov't wants us to register the births of our Brit born babies then they should at least pick up the tab? It's quite costly to have a birth registered.
Also why should my son who never resided in the US have to face a less than like yet possible draft and fight for a country he never set foot in?
And since he would have a SS number doesn't that mean he may have to pay taxes?
It's all disgraceful.  

Anyway sorry. I was just wondering if any parents out there risked taking their child to the US on their Brit passport.

On the other hand, if it really comes to the draft issue, by the time he's eligible, he'll be able to renounce if he'd like as well so that becomes kind of a non-issue. The taxes and paying to register thing is very annoying though.

I really don't think it's a case of you can't take your child in on a UK passport.  I think it's just that you might be jeopardizing his chances of American citizenship should he wish to assert it at some point.

yep.  I'm not too fond of the US stance on this issue either, but I wouldn't want to potentially harm my child's claim to US citizenship in case he/she wanted to take advantage of it someday.

Another way to deal with this issue is for you to renounce, but I don't know if you'd be interested in such a drastic step.

but why should someone have to go through all the hassle and trouble of renouncing their citizenship. it should not be forced upon parents. Its totally arrogant to make you give your child dual citizenship if they want to visit there. Its all about control

Even if he does renounce it.. as far as I know, he wouldnt even be allowed to visit the US in the future after he does so

but why should someone have to go through all the hassle and trouble of renouncing their citizenship. it should not be forced upon parents. Its totally arrogant to make you give your child dual citizenship if they want to visit there. Its all about control

Even if he does renounce it.. as far as I know, he wouldnt even be allowed to visit the US in the future after he does so

Yes I agree totally!

Is that true? He would be banned from visiting the US if he renounced? I never heard of that. Absurd!