US Citizen, US National, or….?

US Citizen, US National, or….?

Perhaps some of you have read about the elections being held in Farmers Branch, TX. Residents will vote on Ordinance 2903 – a law that would ban apartment complexes from renting to most illegal immigrant, by requiring the apartment manager to obtain proof of citizenship or legal immigration status from tenants.

Most Americans, at least those that have been here more than two generations, don’t understand the nuances related to citizenship in their own country. Who could blame us…that’s why immigration attorneys make buckets of money explaining the process to hopeful future-citizens. The following is a brief explanation:

A person who has a work visa is allowed to come to the United States to work. They are not a legal permanent resident.

A person who has a green card, is in the process of trying to become a U.S. Citizen, and is a legal permanent resident. A person must be a legal permanent resident (LPR) for 5 years before applying for citizenship - unless married to a citizen then they must wait 3 years, or if they have a special alien status (asylum, refugee etc) the time frame is different. A person can stay a LPR, not apply for citizenship, and be here legally.

A person who has a work visa is entitled to work in the U.S. and is subject to all U.S. laws, but when their visa expires - if they have not applied for their green card - they are considered an illegal alien and can be deported unless they renew their work visa, just like a travel or student visa. If the work, travel or student visa has expired - they can be sent back to their home country.These individuals holding visas and green cards may not be US citizens, but they are fully protected under the US constitution.