Taking my Brit born child to the US

I agree with the previous poster, I am kind of shocked that people feel so strongly about it, there are so many people that would do anything to have US citizenship and I am so glad that our kids will have both.

To each his own I guess!

I don't get this thread.  You're (not directed toward anyone in particular) an American citizen full stop.  Why is the British half of the child being treated as a good thing and the American as bad.  Although I have issues with the current administration I'm proud to be an american.  What's with all the self hate.  

I agree, but I don't have any children yet so that could aways change.  

I think it's the point that the US Govt (be it this administration or any other as these are laws if I'm not mistaken) is arrogant compared to what other countries, i.e. the UK, require.

That said, there are many other countries where it's a much bigger issue (i.e. countries with national service).

I think it's the point that the US Govt (be it this administration or any other as these are laws if I'm not mistaken) is arrogant compared to what other countries, i.e. the UK, require.

You mean because they require you to pay to register your childrens' births at the consulate in order to assert their right to citizenship?

We had to pay and register the births of our American born children at the British consulate.  We also had to pay in order to get them UK passports.  I don't think the US criteria is more strict or more costly is it?  I think both countries just want a record of those people who claim citizenship.

No, I meant that they had to pay taxes and register for the SS as citizens. But I'm starting to wonder if the US really IS that arrogant? Yes, the UK doesn't have SS, but what about taxes if you are in the US? I assume not. But I imagine other countries DO have this law?

No, the UK doesn't have such demanding tax filing from abroad laws.  Nor the Selective Service thing.  At least not right now.  Of course the laws in any country can change at any time.

Neither the tax nor the selective service is going to affect a child before he is 18 and can decide on citizenship for himself.

My husband and I chose to get dual citizenship for our kids because we wanted them to have both options open to them and to be able to travel, go to school, inherit, etc. in either country.  I can understand why other people might not feel that way though.

Some of you don't get this thread. OK. Just why should it be compulsory for our Brit born children to enter the US on an American passport? Can anyone on here please give me a straight up logical reason?  Why is it OK for any other Brit born kid with Brit parents to enter the US on their UK passports but it's not OK for my Brit born sons because they have an American birthright? If the US gov't insists on the kids entering the country on American passports then let them pay for my time and money to schlep to London to the American embassy (which is a total inconvenient hassle by the way) and let THEM pay for the registration of my Brit born children. Why should I? I have nothing against America or being American I just think the US gov't is way out of line in this matter. I would never deny my children their American nationality if that's what they choose before they're 18 but while they're young children I believe the parents should be able to choose and not be told by the US gov't what we HAVE to do in order for our kids to visit the US.

I would never deny my children their American nationality if that's what they choose before they're 18 but while they're young children I believe the parents should be able to choose and not be told by the US gov't what we HAVE to do in order for our kids to visit the US.

I totally agree with you, Ricki, but at the end of the day, the law is what it is, and I can't see it changing anytime soon 

I believe she has to decide before she is 18, and once she turns 18 and hasn't obtained her citizenship it becomes much more difficult, especially if she has never lived in the US.

You also are not banned from the US if you decide not to take US citizenship, that is not true. And someone else was correct in saying you don't have to pay taxes on the first $80,000 you make, so a child won't pay taxes. Children in the US don't pay taxes, why would a US citizen in the UK?

I guess I don't see this as a huge problem, but it is just me. I think that having dual citizenship, even with the US, is a huge plus for people.

actually i was talking about when she becomes 18 and has to start paying taxes. ALso its not about denying the american in my child..its about not letting the us government have a say in my childs life when shes not even living there

I think that's a perfectly valid argument Ricki. Hope I wasn't coming across as not getting it. It IS a pain in the ars* to get the US stuff (we did it with Sammy when he was about 5 months old).



FWIW, I think some of these laws come out of this notion of it being a 'privilege' to be a US citizen. Hence, you should be willing to pay or whatever to maintain that privilege.

I totally agree with you, Ricki, but at the end of the day, the law is what it is, and I can't see it changing anytime soon 

Sure, of course and you're probably right. I'm just trying to explain my feelings to a few posters who just don't get where I'm coming from that's all.  

FWIW, I think some of these laws come out of this notion of it being a 'privilege' to be a US citizen. Hence, you should be willing to pay or whatever to maintain that privilege.

Oy vey! 
Well I believe it's as much as a privilege to be a UK citizen as it is an American citizen. I know I'm coming across as anti-America but that's not the case. I'm an American citizen. I haven't yet applied for my British Nationality but will someday. I would never renounce my American citizenship. I just can't see why the US gov't is pushing it on our young children. But like Springhaze mentioned that's the law and it probably wont be changing anytime soon.

Some of you don't get this thread. OK. Just why should it be compulsory for our Brit born children to enter the US on an American passport? Can anyone on here please give me a straight up logical reason?  Why is it OK for any other Brit born kid with Brit parents to enter the US on their UK passports but it's not OK for my Brit born sons because they have an American birthright? If the US gov't insists on the kids entering the country on American passports then let them pay for my time and money to schlep to London to the American embassy (which is a total inconvenient hassle by the way) and let THEM pay for the registration of my Brit born children. Why should I? I have nothing against America or being American I just think the US gov't is way out of line in this matter. I would never deny my children their American nationality if that's what they choose before they're 18 but while they're young children I believe the parents should be able to choose and not be told by the US gov't what we HAVE to do in order for our kids to visit the US.

So if you were living in the US and your kid was born there you would be totally OK with him having USC and NOT UKC?

My issue with  this thread and all the ones like this is that YOU are part of the equation and YOU being his mother have given him USC just like your husband has given your son UKC. It's not where you're born but to WHOM your born is how citizenship is decided.

actually i was talking about when she becomes 18 and has to start paying taxes. ALso its not about denying the american in my child..its about not letting the us government have a say in my childs life when shes not even living there

didn't you post earlier that your husband is refusing to let her get her USC?

Edited to add:
I know I'm coming off as a uber biotch and I'm going to stop reading this thread because it just gets under my skin.  I try to not stir up trouble on this site, I don't want to start now.  It's just my opinion and I guess I'll just keep it to myself as everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

So if you were living in the US and your kid was born there you would be totally OK with him having USC and NOT UKC?

My issue with  this thread and all the ones like this is that YOU are part of the equation and YOU being his mother have given him USC just like your husband has given your son UKC. It's not where you're born but to WHOM your born is how citizenship is decided.

I see what you're saying Lindy. But as the childrens' mother, I and their father choose to live our lives in the UK. We will never reside in the USA. If we lived in the US I would feel the same about them getting their Brit citizenship but the UK doesn't have such arrogant laws forcing UK citizenship/passports simply to visit the UK.