“We the People” A Look at Legal Status
Everyone knows that the United States is comprised of many different types of people with different heritages. Some families are brand new to the U.S. while others have been here since the American Revolution. It is important to look at the different legal statuses of people in the United States to fully understand the makeup of our country.
Citizens
A citizen is a person who has certain legal rights and obligations under the U.S. Constitution and federal and state laws. Examples of rights of citizens include the right to vote, to leave and re-enter the U.S., and entitlement to services of the U.S. consulate during foreign travel. Some obligations of citizenship are jury duty and filing your taxes. There are two ways to become a citizen:
- Birth — You were born in a U.S. state or territory or were born in another country with a U.S. citizen as a parent;
- Naturalization — Lawful permanent residents who meet certain requirements can apply for and obtain U.S. citizenship.
Nationals
While often misused, the term “national” specifically refers to people who were born in an “outlying possession of the United States” under federal law. Currently, the only outlying possessions are American Samoa and Swains Island.
Immigrants
The term “immigrants” can be used to describe many people residing in the United States who are not U.S. citizens or nationals. Any foreign national with permission to reside in the U.S. long-term can be considered an immigrant. Immigrants are also commonly referred to as permanent residents, resident aliens, or green card holders.
Nonimmigrants
A nonimmigrant is a person who has permission to reside temporarily in the U.S. for a specific purpose but who demonstrates the intention to go back to their home country. Some nonimmigrants can receive visas for temporary work, to attend school, to open a business, or simply for tourism purposes. It may be difficult to obtain a nonimmigrant visa if your visa officer believes that you may be using your visa as a way to enter the U.S. so that you can stay here permanently.
Consult with an Experienced Immigration Attorney in New York and New Jersey
Whether you need assistance obtaining a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa, a green card, or U.S. citizenship, you should not hesitate to contact the office of Ronald P. Mondello, Esq. Attorney at Law. We help people in NY and NJ with a variety of immigration matters, so please contact us today.
