Advantage/Disadvantage of having child in US

[Mohit]

Hi

We are planning to have our first child here. Can you tell me the advantage of it. My friend says I can stay here if I have my kid born here. Is it true.

What all the benefits the child can get thru US Govt as US citizen.

What are the disadvantages..

Can you share your experience.

Thanks

[shwetex]

Mohit,

I too was exploring the possibilities and have found out that
there are a lot of advantages like the child is totally taken care of by the state if born here also by virtue of birth he gets a US citizenship....he is considered a NATURAL CITIZEN which is the highest level of citizenship in US....if we being Indians get a citizenship it is called a naturalised citizenship which is kinda a 2nd grade(not literally).
The child can stay anywhere in the world for any amt. of time and still his citizenship will be valid in US unlike green card holders who need to stay in US for a while every year to keep their stay valid.

BUT the cons are in India...I am not clear how u can handle if u decide to educate ur child in INdia....I am not clear of that part....If u come across some info PLEASE forward it to me...of the implications of being a US citizen in India.

[suchi]

One can get PIO card for Indian purpose from Govt Of india.
(www.indianembassy.org/pol..._PIO.html) (http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/PIO/Introduction_PIO.html))

Thats gives all the rights to a non -indian citizan person , whoes parants or grnd parents ar Indian citizen..

Hope this helps

[Guest]

I know about one advantage. Your child will be able to learn about some of the concepts which we illiterate Indians don't know about like drugs, abuse of every kind, Gay and Lesbian concept, child molestation and then the therapies to get rid of depression......etc.

[Anand1413]

If you are Indian Citizen Having Baby in US. I don't think PIO Card is required. You can make an Indian passport for your baby too, in addtn to the US passport.

All those stated by Mr. Guest, is happening now-a-days in India too. :\ Sad but TRUE

It all depends upon how nicely/mannerly you can bring up your kids :)

[Harish K R]

Anand,

Are you sure that a kid born in USA to Indian parents can have an Indian Passport along with US Passport? I doubt. I was checking the indian consualte - SFO website and there is a clear warning that it is illegal to acquire indian passport.

I could be wrong could you please give me more details as well as websites were I can get the info.

Thanks,
Harish K.R.

[Harish]

Anand, please do not spread wrong information. A child born to Indian parents in USA is eligible for US passport OR Indian passpport.

The kid is NOT eligible for both the passports at any point of time until India gives dual citizen ship. Thanks.

[Anand1413]

What I have read in different places is :
Till a child is 18 years of age, it is childs parents who is the decision maker.
If a child is born in USA, yes by birth he/she has the right to be a US citizen.

Till 18 years I think the child will be allowed to have both passport. In indian passport also his place of birth will be the US city. You can apply for Indian passport for a US born kid thro Indian consulate. Be sure to specify US city in the place of birth & furnish all the relevant documenst. In that the place of Birth will be the US city.Please visit a Indian consulate site & read properly.

Once he/she is 18 years old, he/She needs to decide & keep one Citiozenship & thus 1 passport. After 18 if she keeps 2 passport it is Illegal.

I AM PRETTY SURE I AM CORRECT. ANY VIEWS?

[suraj]

See the link www.indianconsulate-sf.or...schild.pdf (http://www.indianconsulate-sf.org/visa/dec_uschild.pdf) at Indian Consulate in SFO. If an US born child needs to get an Indian passport, the parents of the child should make a declaration that the child does not have an US passport and in case child does get an US passport later on, the child's Indian passport has to be surrendered and the child will cease to be an Indian Citizen. The issue I see here is, far as US government is concerned, any US born child is an US citizen, It is not a matter of choice - The parents cannot decide that the child does not want to be an US citizen. Perod. A US born child cannot have an US VISA, since US considers the child an US citizen. If US born child leaves US without acquring US passport, this child cannot come back to US. This is my understanding.

[linespee211]

Guys,

Now I'm in this situation. We are expecting our kid early next year and need to decide whether it is advantageous to have the child born in US or India. We are here on an assignment for a couple of years after which we might go back to India and may not even return back to US after that.

Your thoughts would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Prakash

[Ndelhi]

Well the only advantage I see for a U.S born baby is that if he/she ever wants to come back to U.S (incase the parents return to India) he'll get all those advantages just like any other American...and won't have to go through the hassels of various documents and legal implication.Ofcourse if he stays on in America he can live life just like anybody around us.... but isn't seeing advantage and disadvantage in having a baby in U.S kinda weird.. I mean you start a family for yourself and your happiness and not weigh the pros and cons as if you are in a business..!!! :eek:

I guess thats the reason I see almost every Indian family with atleast one kid coz they probably just see the advantages of having a baby in U.S and how he/she can get the closer to the American citizenship (which anyway is not possible)

In my opinion there are no advantages or disadvantages in having a baby anywhere in the world.. except that he brings joy to your home and family.... I think you all need to rethink on this one!!!!!!


P.S No offense to anyone in particular but this is just a different opinion that I hold.

[linespee211]

Thanks for your thoughts...I do not agree with you when you it's wierd. I don't think anyone would want to have a baby just to make him a citizen of certain country. Obviously, a kid brings lot of happiness to the family.

But if we think from apractical perspective, as parents we have the responsibility of thinking as to what is good for the kid and what is not. In that process, if someone finds that making his kid a US citizen would help him the long run, what'z wrong there?

In our case, we just thought that it's high time for us to have kids. That decision had nothing to do with this Birth Country stuff. As we are in US, the natural choice is to have the kid here which would make him a US citizen by default. Now as responsible parents we need to analyze whether it's good for the kid's future or not. If not, we should probably rethink on the idea of having him take birth in US. Isn't that fair enough???

Thanks,
Prakash

[Ndelhi]

Thats why I said its a " different opinion" coz generally people don't like different opinions..

For me its all about hapiness and I won't even bother to find out the pros and cons in any forum!!! but rather read articles on how he/she is developing at this time.

All the best and may he bring in lots of hapiness to you and your family :)

[35Kimmig]

Hi
am in a similar situation as most other posters, the point about being practical is well made -- its not that we are in business or anything.

IMHO one of the biggest challenges the next generation in India will face -- is reservation. Our children will not get the same education opportunities as we have had. When I passed my SSC it was 35 % -- taking admission into Masters -- it was at 55%. I see it only going up .. not down. You never know what will happen in the next 20 - 25 years.

One of the biggest advantages of having a US citizenship - would be a chance to escape that grind. So, just to summarize the discussion and ask the right questions -- here's my contribution.

1. If a child is born in US and gets a US passport -- will it have access to education as a regular citizen -- or would there be any difficulties?
2. If a child is born in US and gets an India passport -- will he / she be able to get a US citizenship in the future?

I think -- pertaining to citizenship -- this is what people really want an answer to.
Your inputs are appreciated.
Thanks and Regards