"I am currently a Resident Alien (green scales the whole thing!!) What might be the consequences of transitioning and getting all the id work done under this status or should I wait till I get my citizenship to avoid some hassle - not least of which might be being deported as undesirable (well..in that sense anyway) or not being able to go through citizenship because of my changed gender status. My Green Card is current till 2004 and I think I am eligible for citizenship in two years or so. I am assuming that there will be work to be done with the British authorities if I do it as an alien or with the INS either way. Do you know of any other simlar cases?"
This is one of those dreaded questions which attorneys hate to take on because the initial response must be, "I haven't a clue!" That kind of answer tends to shatter the mystique of omniscience we work so hard to cultivate. Needless to say, this one occasioned a trip to the law library as immigration is not one of my practice areas.
What I did find was interesting. Under the "old" law, meaning before the 1990 Immigration Act, you could be deported in a heartbeat for transitioning, or even being transsexual. You could be deported for being gay. But it seems that has changed. Mental illness is sufficient if of a nature which would likely result in violence or harm to others or the alien. However, my reference clearly stated that entry (the first requisite for eventual naturalization - if you could be denied entry on specified grounds, you can't be naturalized.) can not be denied merely because someone was a sexual deviant. I realize that is a bit harsh, and I don't think of you as deviant, but as long as gender disorders are in the DSM (what are we up to, version 5 or 6?), then the characterization as mentally ill can be a two edged sword.
One the one hand, people can say you have a mental disorder, whatever - but on the other hand, you can wave the book and say, "YES, but it says I'm sexually deviant." It can work in your favor in this case.
Of course, you do have to be of good moral character to be naturalized, so there may still be obstacles. ;-) What that means is still, and always will be, a subject of great debate, but it seems to mean that you are law abiding and embrace the concepts set forth in the Constitution. If these are true, it is arguable that as being transgendered is not grounds for exclusion, in is not indicative of a lack of moral fiber.
So, am I saying go for it? I would not stretch my neck that far out based on some basic research, particularly since that research turned up no references dealing with transsexualism specifically. However, the initial outlook is positive enough that I think it would be worth while to pay a consultation fee to an imigration specialist to be certain you are on firm ground, and find out what could be done if INS gives you any trouble. Good luck, and I hope I have been of some help.