This is off topic, but occasionally I have to rant about this.

We are from Canada and we own a house in TV. We are retired and not seeking a job or any benefits from the USA. We are seasonal residents, due to the fact that the US Government allows us to stay in the USA 182 days in a calendar year. No more. Brits are the same.

If we stay longer than 182 days in our home in TV (on which we pay taxes 12 months a year), we would become illegal aliens. Subject to deportation and possibly never allowed to re enter the US.

I always thought that North America was one big happy family. Canada has lost 148 military personnel fighting in Afganistan.

I'm just saying.

Originally Posted by Barefoot

This is off topic, but occasionally I have to rant about this.

We are from Canada and we own a house in TV. We are retired and not seeking a job or any benefits from the USA. We are seasonal residents, due to the fact that the US Government allows us to stay in the USA 182 days in a calendar year. No more. Brits are the same.

If we stay longer than 182 days in our home in TV (on which we pay taxes 12 months a year), we would become illegal aliens. Subject to deportation and possibly never allowed to re enter the US.

I always thought that North America was one big happy family. Canada has lost 148 military personnel fighting in Afganistan.

I'm just saying.

Are the residency laws different in Canada? Can I buy a house and stay in Canada indefinitely while remaining a U.S. citizen?

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Are the residency laws different in Canada? Can I buy a house and stay in Canada indefinitely while remaining a U.S. citizen?

The residency laws are different. Richie, I'm not sure if your question is serious, but yes, you probably could buy a house in Canada and stay here indefinitely while remaining a U.S. citizen. Canada loves immigrants and refugees. We give them free health benefits and welfare as soon as they arrive. (Not saying that's a good thing; but that's the way it is).

While the USA is a "melting pot" and expects immigrants to adapt to American ways, Canada protects everyone's cultural identity and heritage. Which, of course, is is extremely expensive. (Not saying that's a good thing; but that's the way it is).

Our official second language is French, but we have more people that speak Italian and Mandarin than French! Being an interpreter in Canada is a very worthwhile job!

P.S. Richie, I'm not sure if your post implied that I want to own a house in Florida while retaining my Canadian citizenship. I'd be real happy to become a U.S. citizen! However there are no grounds under which I can apply for citizenship.

Barefoot, I loved your response. It was straightforward and on-point. The whole question/answer between you and Richie got me to thinking.

Population of North America: 514,600,000
United States: 303,606,020
Mexico: 106,535,000
Canada: 33,163,000
Guatemala: 13,354,000
Cuba: 11,268,000

Each year about 170,000 people become new citizens of Canada.

I looked on the Canada government website under About being a permanent resident of Canada, Immigrating to Canada and Becoming a Canadian citizen.

The section on Canadian citizenship is very interesting. Following is information about becoming a Canadian citizen.

Age
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for Canadian citizenship.

To apply for citizenship for a child under 18, make sure the following conditions are met:

the person applying is the child’s parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian
the child is a permanent resident, but does not need to have lived in Canada for three years and
one parent is already a Canadian citizen or is applying to become a citizen at the same time. This also applies to adoptive parents.
Permanent resident status
To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident status in Canada, and that status must not be in doubt. This means you must not be the subject of an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order (an order from Canadian officials to leave Canada).

Time lived in Canada
To become Canadian citizens, adults must have lived in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children do not need to meet this requirement.

You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period.

Use the citizenship calculator to find out if you have lived in Canada long enough to apply for citizenship.

Language abilities
Canada has two official languages—English and French. You need to have adequate knowledge of one of these two languages. You must know enough English or French to understand other people and for them to understand you.

Criminal history (prohibitions)
You cannot become a citizen if you:

have been convicted of an indictable (criminal) offence or an offence under the Citizenship Act in the three years before you apply
are currently charged with an indictable offence or an offence under the Citizenship Act
are in prison, on parole or on probation
are under a removal order (have been ordered by Canadian officials to leave Canada)
are under investigation for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity or
have had your Canadian citizenship taken away in the past five years.
If you are on probation or are charged with an offence and are awaiting trial, you should wait until after the probation has ended or the trial is over to apply for citizenship.

If you have spent time on probation, on parole or in prison in the last four years, you may not meet the residence requirement for citizenship.

Time in prison or on parole does not count as residence in Canada. Time on probation also does not count as residence in Canada if you were convicted of an offence. If you have spent time on probation from a conditional discharge, it may be counted toward residence. For details, contact the Call Centre.

Knowledge of Canada
To become a citizen, you must understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, such as the right and responsibility to vote in elections. You must also have an understanding of Canada’s history, values, institutions and symbols.

The information you need to know is in our free.




http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizen...ligibility.asp

According to information from the site as a permanent resident, you and your dependants have the right :

To receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage.
To live, work or study anywhere in Canada.
To apply for Canadian citizenship.
To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
You must pay taxes, and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

What permanet residents cannot do :

Vote or run for political office.
Hold certain jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement.
Remain in Canada if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and have been told to leave the country.




There are six categories of immigration in Canada according to imformation on the website. These categories are Skilled workers and professionals; Quebec-selected skilled workers; Canadian Experience Class; Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people; Provincial nominees and Sponsoring your family.

Each of these categories requires you have a job, a promise of a job and knowledge of either English or French. The Quebec Province section for Federal Skilled Workers is separate from the main Canada website info.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/about-pr.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

Originally Posted by Barefoot

The residency laws are different. Richie, I'm not sure if your question is serious, but yes, you probably could buy a house in Canada and stay here indefinitely while remaining a U.S. citizen. Canada loves immigrants and refugees. We give them free health benefits and welfare as soon as they arrive. (Not saying that's a good thing; but that's the way it is).

While the USA is a "melting pot" and expects immigrants to adapt to American ways, Canada protects everyone's cultural identity and heritage. Which, of course, is is extremely expensive. (Not saying that's a good thing; but that's the way it is).

Our official second language is French, but we have more people that speak Italian and Mandarin than French! Being an interpreter in Canada is a very worthwhile job!

P.S. Richie, I'm not sure if your post implied that I want to own a house in Florida while retaining my Canadian citizenship. I'd be real happy to become a U.S. citizen! However there are no grounds under which I can apply for citizenship.

I didn't mean anything snarky by my question, I was just curious. I see BK took the time to find out loads of info, I thank both of you for the response and effort.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

I didn't mean anything snarky by my question, I was just curious. I see BK took the time to find out loads of info, I thank both of you for the response and effort.

Wowser, BK knows way more about Canadian immigration that I do. Well done, BK!

Richie, my whole point was this:

The US economy is struggling. Every year thousands (if not millions) of Canadian retirees travel to Florida. (Brits also). After 182 days they must leave the US. These retirees don't require any US "handouts". They travel to the US with health care insurance and they put a lot of money into the economy of the State of Florida. Forcing retirees to leave the country after 182 days seems ridiculous.

When we're in FLorida, we shop and eat out and buy gas and food and furniture and so far we've bought two houses ..... you get the point. Anyway .. retirees spend lots of money having fun.

I'm not suggesting that retirees contribution to the economy of FLorida is going to turn the US recession around!! But I am suggesting that the US Government should offer a "Retiree Visa" to allow retirees to stay longer in the US and thereby reap the benefit of their spending.

I apologize for hijacking this thread. It's just a "hot button" of mine because I love my Village friends and miss them terribly when I'm in exile.

immigration. Just like every other nation on the planet. We however, different from every other nation on the planet choose to not enforce the rules/laws for certain VOTER groupings.

Does anybody think for one minute you could get into any country ILLEGALY and demand what they are here in the USA? Absolutely not. They would have your butt locked up in jail in a heartbeat.

The politics of the illegal immigration issue are so disgusting it is pathetic. The permissive pacifists, lethargic, do nothing, do not rock the boat, bleeding heart, special interest, lawyers and Washington lawmakers are willing to look the other way............I am not. They need to do it right just like our families did in years past. NO EXCEPTIONS for VOTES.

btk

Can't argue that Barefoot. Excellent post. Concise and too the point. You should stop by political more often. I don't think there are any rules on citizenship or how long you can stay.

Originally Posted by djplong

On the Arizona law, I've always thought that the devil was in the "reasonable suspicion" clause. If police abused that, there would be justifiable court cases. As long as the cops can back up the reasons for their ID requests, it shouldn't be an issue. But I fear that one bad apple - all it will take is one overzealous cop or one cop overstrained to the breaking point - and there'll be a legal furball exploding.

I believe that illegals have SOME rights. For example, they have the right to have their Miranda rights read to them before we deport them. No reason we can't treat them like civilized human beings. But, make no mistake - DEPORT THEM.

As far as what I categorize myself? I don't have a label that I have any affectation towards. You're correct in that I like JFK, if pressed I'd have to say Thomas Jefferson was my 'hero'. There are some aspects of both major parties that I find ok and other aspects that, somehow, "turning my stomach" doesn't seem to describe my feelings appropriately.

In general, I'm more fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Let's spend money in government EFFECTIVELY and keep a "live and let live" attitude with anyone who's not breaking the law. If you have a law you think is bad, there's civil protest and petitioning for change. There's a proper way to do things. Above all, don't lie when trying to make the sell. It makes you look worse and people will immediately dismiss what you have to say, no matter what else may have been good in your message.

Sigh.. I'm rambling off to a tangent again....

You often say you are a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal.

You appear to be bright, but your position here is utterly and hopelessly impossible.

To be a social liberal you require a big government with high taxes which makes it impossible to be a fiscal conservative.

If you don't agree with me please explain how your mixed position is mathematically feasible.

I don't know what it takes to become a US citizen, but we know a couple who live in England and visit the US several times a year. They usually stay for about 6 weeks at a time and then go back to GB. They would make wonderful citizens of the US, but unfortunately they want to do it legally. They have the income to sustain themselves, but the US won't let them. Crazy isn't it?

Well, this may not be an issue if Obama gets is way, according to Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...al-immigrants/

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

Can't argue that Barefoot. Excellent post. Concise and too the point. You should stop by political more often. I don't think there are any rules on citizenship or how long you can stay.

Thanks BK. I do enjoy Political, it is way more interesting than hearing more debates about roundabouts. I steer clear of posting because I'm not smart enough to win any battles! I have lots of opinions about Obama, but they are best kept in a box under my bed.

There may not be any rules in Political on citizenship or how long you can stay, but I've seen peeps get tarred and feathered and run out of town!

Originally Posted by cashman

You often say you are a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal.

You appear to be bright, but your position here is utterly and hopelessly impossible.

To be a social liberal you require a big government with high taxes which makes it impossible to be a fiscal conservative.

If you don't agree with me please explain how your mixed position is mathematically feasible.

Please respond Djplong !!!!

I have to agree with cashman that it is an oxymoron to say you are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. It is impossible to be fiscally conservative and support social liberalism.

A few examples of the "I'm a fiscal conservative, but a social liberal," contadictions to think about from a financial standpoint:
-Poltically correctness in racial profiling and Homeland Security measures at airport.
-The war on poverty.
-Abortion and/or Planned Parenthood versus population growth.
-Protecting children.
-Protecting pets.
-Protecting Americans from themselves with health regulations, vehicle regulations, building regulations, sun tanning regulations, et al (federal guidelines and a bureacracy and government agency for everything from A to Z.)

I'm not speaking for djplong, but I had some friends who said the same statement and when they really discussed the matter, it turns out their main "social liberal" stance came into protecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered rights and the right of a woman to have an abortion.

http://www.redstate.com/ausonius/201...80%99s-future/

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Rep...id-to-the-Poor

Originally, in the days of JFK, I think that being Socially Liberal really was about Women's Rights and Minority Rights and extending the reasoned helping hand to the truly needy.

It's evolved over the years, incrementally, to the massive Entitlement Class that many rail against today.