Similarities and Differences between Getting a Green Card and Becoming a Citizen in the US
The United States is a country where a lot of immigrants flock in every day. The immigrants all strive to secure the green card holder status to be able to have access to some rights in the country. A lot of people do mistake the green card holder status for citizenship. Most people think being a green card holder in the United States is the same as being a citizen of the country. Truly the green card gives one some certain right as an immigrant, but it can never give one the full rights which the citizens of the country do enjoy. Even though there is a great difference between a green card holder and a citizen, there are a lot of similarities between them too. Similarities and differences between a green card holder and a citizen can be seen in:
Politics – the political atmosphere in the United States is well populated. It is well populated in the sense that the majority of people who are eligible to participate in politics are politically active unlike many countries of the world where a larger percentage of the masses are politically apathetic. To be able to participate in United States politics, one has to be 18 years of age and a citizen of the United States. The requirements to participate in politics is one of the most common differences between green card holders and the citizens as the green card holders do not meet any of the requirements to participate in politics. As a citizen, one can contest for political posts, vote during elections and so on but the green card holders cannot do any of that. Even though the green card holders cannot participate in United States politics, there are some actions they can take to make their voices heard when it comes to politics. Examples of actions that can be taken by green card holders include campaign for their favorite candidate during elections.
If you are planning to travel to the United States and your country is among the visa waiver program countries then you will have to register ESTA online. Also, you should submit ESTA before the deadline. If your country is among the VWP countries then you do not need a Visa to travel to the United States. Always check if you are eligible for an esta.
Representation – the United States is well known for being a country that appreciates those who represent her well through good remuneration and a lot of positive privileges. To represent the United States either in sports, military or international political representation, one has to be a citizen of the country. The representation aspect is one of the things that serve as a demarcation between the green card holders’ rights and the citizens’ rights as the green card holders cannot represent the country.
Employment – the employment statistics in the United States shows there is a balanced representation of the green card holders and the citizens in the civil service of the country as a good percentage of both the citizens and the green card holders are gainfully employed. To work in the United States as an immigrant, one needs a valid visa which must be renewed whenever it expires but when one has the green card, one can work in the country for as long as possible without renewing any visa because the green card serves as the permission to work and live in the country permanently. One of the popular similarities between the green card holders and the citizens is the ability for both of them to work without any hindrance.
Green card through marriage – when someone in the United States marries someone who is not a resident of the United States, it is expected for them to take some steps that will make the partner who is outside the country become legal to live in the United States so that he or she can immigrate to the country. Being a green card holder who married someone who is not a resident of the United States, your partner will still have to apply for visa like other immigrants but if a citizen of the United States marries someone who is not a resident of the country, he or she has the right to apply for green card on behalf of his or her partner which will surely be approved so far they are legally married.
Deportation – as a United States citizen, you are immune to immigration cases and deportation, but if you are a green card holder, you can still be stripped of your status as a green card holder if you are found guilty of any grievous offense and you can get deported at worse cases.
