Do we have to become American Citizen?

When I was back in Nepal, I had met a junior friend of mine who had proudly shown me his US passport. I met another American Passport holder Nepali in Bangkok (I was first time flying to USA) and he was just cutting me off… Now, I am permanently residing in USA for the last few years and here I see the tendency that we want to acquire American Citizenship. Quest of good education, well paying job, opportunities and comfortable life are what most people driven by but to become “American Citizen Convert” is something that I am not able to digest yet or those who have acquired American passport, why do they have to be so proud about?

Once in a while,
I don't know if there's enough pride left in being called a NEPALI.....I know, I will be bashed by other Sajha members for saying that...But, don't you think, you can only be proud of what you have....if their pride lies in showing US passport, so be it....

Disclaimer:
"I do not own a US passport, nor do I intend to."

Few reasons
1. If you want to settle in US, then its better to get US passport. You can apply for US citizens jobs too.

2. Its easier to travel to other countries. PR does not mean that you don't need visa for other countries.

3. If you are paying taxes in US, then you want voting rights. Only US citizens have voting rights.

4. PR can only be out of country for 6 months but for US citizens there is no restrictions.

5. You can still do business and nepalese people by getting US citzenships. There is so much flexibility and reputation in have US citizen.

I don't have US citizenship and I am not sure if I want one. If there is dual citizen in Nepal, I would prefer to have both since I am in US and I am nepali too.

Any thoughts ?

The only reason you would want to keep your Nepalese citizenship is not to pay for your visa when visit Nepal.

There really isnt much more to be proud of, for being a Nepalese citizen.

Hi everyone,

My answer is, yes! We have to be an American citizen.

First of all, compare all the benefits one can get by just being a citizen of America, and being a citizen of Nepal. Do we see any difference? What we should not and cannot change is our roots and where we originated from. We will always be classified as Nepalese American or Asian American in general. Why will there be a question which says “What is your race? Caucasian, Asian, Latino, African American or Other in any form of application we fill in America. The whole nation is made up of immigrants and since we came here to become immigrants we might as well get the citizenship. It is not like we are abandoning our country by embracing US citizenship, we have abandoned it already since we reside and have a different form of life here. We will never be forgotten as Nepalese but if being an American is going to make things easy why opt for a path which will just make things hard.

I might get some negative replies after posting this message but so what. This is an open forum and I guess we observe freedom of speech.

There are a few things you need to consider. What is your goal? 1) To work for Nepal as a Nepalese citizen, or 2) just work for Nepal somehow, etc?
Nepal does not provide dual citizenship, so option 1 can be fulfilled by keeping the citizenship of Nepal (e.g. to become PM). This way you can proudly say you love your country so much that the US citizenship did not mean much in comparison. It does not matter Nepal is good, bad etc.
Now if you really want to help Nepal, you need not actually be a citizen of Nepal. Take a US passport, UK passport, Nepal is there for everyone, citizen or not, by birth or as a naturalized one. If ever Nepal needs anyone, it is today, right now. In fact in terms of resources you probably would do better if you adopt a US passport or UK passport. Only thing is you won't be able to fight in elections, and won't probably be a prime minister.
If you can get a US cizenship, I'd say go for it, not because there is nothing to be proud of Nepal but because potentially you are likely to make many Nepalese proud of Nepal. You have that macho talent, resources, that it takes,if used properly, to make the whole world spin in a way you have never imagined. Who knows? It's enough to realize and keep in mind all the time that you can make a difference to Nepal in a group and sometimes single-handedly. You should keep your "can-do" attitude aloof no matter what others say about it. Most imprtant all the time is what you think of you rather than what others think of you.

Thank you!

While all opinions expressed here make sense, but for voting rights and few other additional facilities only, should we really become American Citizen? Isn't it something like changing our mother? I think I am more emotional on this issue but aren't we still treated as second class citizen or outsider? Can we become as proud as white Americans and plant an American flag on our yard?

if ya want you become ..if ya don't want to you don't become...simple as that

once in a while,
you are criss-crossing yourself. The point is, do you care how you are treated while trying to do something for your mother(land)? If you do, then do not abort your Nepali citizenship. It sounds like you want to serve your country from a foreign land with dignity? That you can do if your mother at least is a naturally born American (or European or Arabic). Laddu pani chichi pani gahro chha, brother!

I've a Nepali flag to plant on your yard if you want. Aids pani nalageko, sapha pani cha.