Green Card vs. Citizenship: Know the Difference

The United States, being the fourth largest country globally, attracts many non-citizens to discover and experience its comfort and richness. It is one reason why there are many opportunities given in the country. Due to its benefits, many people are eyeing applying for citizenship (being a part of the U.S. administration) or being green card holders (lawful permanent residents). It is also known that both categories are distinct from each other. Here are some crucial questions and information about green cards versus citizenship in the United States.

What Does U.S Permanent Residency Mean?

A permanent resident is a person who has been granted lawful admission in the United States for an undefined time. These residents are known as green card holders—a green card is an identification card that provides evidence that you are legally allowed to stay in the United States, but this does not guarantee your residency status when you leave the country.

Suppose you are to leave the U.S. and decide on settling in another country. In that case, the government can assume that you are abandoning your permanent resident status (depending on the duration of your leave). There is a possibility that you will be moved to removal proceedings and attend an immigration court hearing.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

There are a handful of benefits if you have permanent residency status in the United States. Here are some of the advantages that you might want to know:

1. You can sponsor your primary family members.

Being a green card holder allows you to legally take your family members (spouse and unmarried children) to live and work with you. Although the family members allowed are limited in number, you can have them apply as early as possible since the waiting time for approval can take from a month to several years.

1. You can have easier entry to the United States anytime.

One of the main perks of having a green card is entering the U.S. without the hassle of a visa. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are ordered to admit green cardholders since they have legal permanent residency status. However, it is the holder’s responsibility always to be mindful of its expiration date, significantly if it might hinder your journey overseas. 

1. You can apply to a wide range of job opportunities.

Permanent residents can achieve better career opportunities since they are not required to have a work visa issued by their employer. Green card holders can work at any company in the United States, provided that their resident still has legal residency status.

1. You are qualified to obtain social security services.

Social Security Administration, acquired through income tax, gives you security in economic necessities such as food, education, and medical assistance. Green card holders are qualified to have these specific benefits due to their permanent residency status. Therefore, they may acquire retirement benefits after working in the United States for years.

Limitations of Permanent Residency

While there are many great benefits to having a green card status, its limitations are also attached. These limitations involve:

1. Green Card Holders do not obtain the right to vote.

Since permanent residents are not necessarily considered naturalized citizens or U.S. citizens, they are not allowed to vote in the country. Given that they are solely given the benefit of staying in the United States lawfully, it does not mean that they are part of the Constitution. 

1. Green Card Holders are not the top priority in the sponsorship of family members. 

Although they can apply for their primary relatives in getting their green cards, it does not equate to being the number one order priority of admission. Having a green card can only give them the privilege of supporting their family members in getting legal admission to the United States.

1. Green Card Holders are not eligible to run for public office.

They are not eligible to run in politics since they are not a United States citizen in the first place. This benefit is exclusive only to naturalized citizens as they are considered a part of the administration.

1. Green Cards are to be renewed every decade.

Unlike naturalized citizens, green card holders must renew their identification cards every ten (10) years. Failure to renew their card may hinder them from going in and out of the United States. It might put their residency status in danger.

Being in removal proceedings or deportation is high with an expired green card. Green cards exist to protect non-citizens who aspire to stay in the country for an extended period. Thus, if your green card has yet been renewed and passed its expiration date, you are already considered illegally staying in the United States.

What Does U.S. Citizen mean?

Being a citizen of the United States means that you are considered a part of the U.S.A administration—bearing rights and responsibilities. To be a U.S. citizen, one must be any of the following:

• They were born in the United States.
• They became a citizen through their U.S. citizen parents.
• They have undergone the Naturalization Process.

You can have a U.S. passport released by the U.S. State when you are a U.S. citizen. It is one of the relevant benefits of being a citizen. It gives you less hassle to travel to countries that offer visa-free trips for U.S. citizens.

Unlike permanent residents or green card holders, U.S. citizens do not have any limitations on the duration outside the United States. They can re-enter the country whenever they want to without the fear of a re-entry permit or illegal admission.

Benefits of U.S. Citizen

There are a lot of benefits to a citizen of the United States. These include protection from deportation, having a U.S. passport, possessing federal benefits, more career opportunities, the right to vote and run for public office, financial assistance, and other economically related advantages.

To further know what specific benefits a U.S. citizen has, you can read the article below to be aware of its advantages. (4 Responsibilities and 12 Benefits of U.S. Citizenship)

How to Become a U.S. Citizen?

As there are a handful of advantages to becoming a U.S. Citizen, there are also eligibility requirements to be one. These can be categorized into:

• Lawful Permanent Residency / Green Card
• Marriage with a U.S. Citizen
• Child of a U.S. Citizen

These requirements have different requirements: being at least 18 years with good moral character. To be more precise on what requirements an application should have, you can read this article to guide you through the process. (How to Get U.S. Citizenship)

Assistance through admission to the United States

The United States can be strict on those who want legal admission inside the country. As many career opportunities await, the number of green cards and citizenship applicants increases every year. 

If you need help, Ruby Powers Law and our immigration attorneys can guide you through the process. Contact Ruby Powers Law to be assisted.