Whenever we talk about migration, everyone seems to have one objective or end goal: citizenship and/or residency. Every migrant arriving in the United States, whether on a temporary visa or under asylum laws, seeks a status that will ensure legal stay in the country.
Both are legal statuses that allow anyone to remain permanently in the United States. But what exactly is “resident” and what is “citizen”? What is the difference between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident? Today, in Jaskot Lawour expert immigration lawyers will answer all these questions so that you can choose between these permanent statuses depending on which one best fits your situation.
And remember: whether you want to apply for citizenship or residency, at Jaskot Law we can help you. Our team of experienced immigration attorneys has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve the permanent legal status you need to live peacefully in the United States. Contact us at +1 (410) 235-6868 or [email protected].
What is “resident”?
Let’s start by defining what it means to be a “resident” of the United States. First and foremost, it should be noted that there are two types of U.S. residents:
- Non-immigrant residents.
- Permanent residents.
A non-immigrant resident is a foreign national temporarily present in the United States with a non-immigrant visa, which means that do not have the right to live and work permanently in the country.They are allowed to stay here for a limited period of time for specific purposes, such as studying, working temporarily or visiting relatives.
In contrast, permanent residents, also known as Green Card holders, are foreign nationals who can legally reside and work in the United States indefinitely.
Permanent residents may remain in the country indefinitely and enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens with some exceptions, such as the right to vote and eligibility for certain government jobs.
On the other hand, it should also be noted that a permanent resident has certain obligations, such as paying taxes and registering for military service (if required). In addition, they may lose their status if they commit certain crimes or spend an extended period of time outside the United States without special permission.
What is “citizen”?
A U.S. citizen is a person who was born in the United States or its territories or who obtained citizenship through the naturalization process. U.S. citizenship grants all rights and privileges available to persons residing in the country, including the right to vote, the right to work, and the right to travel freely within and outside the country.
In addition, U.S. citizens are responsible for complying with the laws of the country, paying taxes and registering for military service (if required). They also have the right to apply for a U.S. passport and may travel or reside in other countries without restrictions.
Difference between a U. S. citizen and a U. S. resident
We already know what is a “resident” and what is a “citizen” for the U.S. immigration system. But what is the difference between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident? The answer to this question lies in the very nature of each of these immigration statuses.
As we said, a permanent resident is someone who has obtained a Green Card, which allows him or her to live and work legally in the United States indefinitely. In contrast, U.S. citizenship implies that the individual has obtained all the rights and duties of a native-born citizen of the United States.
This in itself implies a great difference not only in the benefits of a citizen and a resident, but also in the legal and fiscal rights and obligations of each of them. For this reason, it is extremely important to understand the difference between a citizen and a resident in order to know what rights and duties we have in the United States.
Let’s look at the difference between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident and learn how to identify each of these permanent immigration statuses.
Voting rights
A major difference between citizen and resident is that citizens have the right to vote, which allows them to actively participate in the democratic process of the country to elect president, senators and congressmen. Residents, on the other hand, can only participate in local elections.
Right to travel
Another difference between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident is that citizens have the right to travel and reside anywhere in the world without losing their status.
This means that U.S. citizens are entitled to receive a U.S. passport issued by the U.S. Department of State (DHS) and may leave and enter the country without any restrictions and live in another country indefinitely without having their citizenship status revoked.
Residents, on the other hand, should be careful not to spend too much time outside the United States, as they could lose their residency (whether permanent residents or nonimmigrants).
Government work
A major difference between a U. S. citizen and a U. S. resident is that citizens have the ability to work in any government job and serve as a juror in a trial. This means that only U.S. citizens can work in federal agencies such as USDA, USFS, USCIS and ICE, among others, while residents cannot access these kinds of government jobs or serve as jurors in trials.
On the other hand, only citizens can be elected as local, state or federal representatives, while residents cannot access these governmental positions.
Permanence of status
Another important difference between a U. S. citizen and a U. S. resident is that only citizenship is an irrevocable status. This means that, although every U.S. citizen must comply with the law and face the consequences of not doing so, his or her status as a citizen will not be compromised and he or she cannot be deported. In contrast, a permanent resident may lose his or her residency and is subject to deportation if he or she commits certain crimes.
Petition family members
One difference between a U. S. citizen and a U. S. resident that is essential for any migrant is that, although both citizens and residents may petition for their family members to immigrate to the United States, residents have several restrictions when petitioning for a family member.
Permanent residents are considered “preference relatives,” which means that, although they do not have the same priority as immediate family members in the immigration process, they can still apply for an immigrant visa to reside permanently in the United States.
Keep in mind that there are a limited number of visas granted to preference relatives each year, so the relative for whom you are petitioning may have to wait up to five years or more to obtain residency.
Whether you are applying for citizenship or permanent residency for yourself or a family member, at Jaskot Law we can help you. Contact us at +1 (410) 235-6868 or [email protected].
Conclusion
The difference between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident lies in the rights and duties that are acquired with each of these immigration statuses. Although both give their beneficiaries the security of residing and working legally in the United States, there are important differences between residency and citizenship.
Permanent residents have certain limitations on their rights and duties, such as voting and holding public office, while U.S. citizens have full rights and responsibilities as native-born citizens of the country.
On the other hand, it must also be considered that permanent residency can be revoked if certain crimes are committed, while a citizen would never lose his or her status, but must answer to the law in the same way as a resident.
In conclusion, being a permanent resident means having the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely, while being a U.S. citizen means obtaining full citizenship with all the rights and duties that come with it.
Whether you are seeking citizenship or permanent residency, both processes can be complicated and have their particular requirements. At Jaskot Law we can help you obtain the permanent status that guarantees your legal stay in the United States. Contact us at +1 (410) 235-6868 or [email protected].
Sources
usa.gov – Naturalization and Citizenship.
usa.gov – Green Card or permanent residency and immigrant visas.Road to Status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an American “resident”?
There are two types of residents in the United States: nonimmigrant residents and permanent residents. A nonimmigrant resident is a foreign national who is temporarily in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa for specific purposes, such as studying, working temporarily, or visiting family. In contrast, permanent residents (green card holders) are foreign nationals who can legally reside and work in the United States indefinitely.
What is an American “citizen”?
A U.S. citizen is someone who was born in the United States or its territories or who has obtained citizenship through the naturalization process. Citizenship grants all rights and privileges available to residents, including the right to vote, work and travel freely within and outside the country.
What is the difference between a resident and a U.S. citizen?
A resident is a foreign national who can legally reside and work in the United States indefinitely, either as a nonimmigrant or as a permanent resident (green card holder), while a citizen is someone who was born in the United States or obtained citizenship by naturalization. Citizenship confers all the rights and privileges enjoyed by residents, including the right to vote, work and travel freely within and outside the country.
What are the responsibilities of a U.S. resident?
As residents, both non-immigrant and permanent, individuals are required to comply with all laws, register for the military draft (if required) and pay taxes. Permanent residents may also lose their status if they commit certain crimes or spend extended periods outside the United States without special permission.
What are the responsibilities of a citizen in the United States?
U.S. citizens must comply with all laws, register for the military draft (if required) and pay taxes. Citizens also have the right to vote, apply for a U.S. passport, and travel or reside in other countries without restrictions.
Juan Berkowsky is a professional writer specialized in communications for social networks and digital media. His mission is to empower people through knowledge and access to information. He work with honesty and dedication to assist all those seeking to navigate the sometimes tough U.S. immigration process.
