No, Green Card Holders Do Not Have The Same Rights & Responsibilities as US Citizens

In One Instance, They Have More, Read On

I had an exchange with an idiot on Alan Dershowitz’ Substack. I refuse to engage with him, as he is a Jew-baiting troll, but I thought it useful to compile all the differences in status between a Citizen and a green card holder.

Don’t let them bullshit or steamroll you. Citizens and Green Card holders are two entirely separate and distinct categories and LPR (legal permanent residents) do not have the same rights and responsibilities as citizens.

This is another leftist line, along with the free speech bullshit. Don’t let them get away with it.

After winning on immigration, this is the most important fight we have ahead of us. It will determine whether this country is truly plunged into a genuine civil war or whether it remains a Union. I’m not exaggerating. I really mean that.

This really is the last thing I’m writing on politics. I promise.

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Responsibilities That Green Card Holders Have, But Citizens Do Not:

1. Report Address Changes to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):

   • Green Card holders must notify USCIS of any address change within 10 days by filing Form AR-11 online or by mail.

   • U.S. citizens do not have to report address changes to USCIS.

2. Carry Proof of Status:

   • Green Card holders must carry proof of their permanent residency (such as their Green Card) at all times.

   • U.S. citizens do not have this requirement.

3. Maintain Continuous Residence to Keep Status:

   • Green Card holders can lose their status if they stay outside the U.S. for too long (typically over 6 months without a reentry permit or 1 year without a returning resident visa).

   • U.S. citizens can live abroad indefinitely without affecting their citizenship.

4. Renew Green Card Every 10 Years:

   • Green Card holders must renew their permanent resident card every 10 years (or every 2 years if they have a conditional Green Card).

   • U.S. citizens do not have to renew any status; they only renew passports if they have one.

5. Avoid Crimes That Could Lead to Deportation:

   • Certain crimes (e.g., aggravated felonies, drug offenses, fraud) can result in Green Card holders being deported.

   • U.S. citizens cannot be deported, even if they commit crimes.

6. Restricted Access to Certain Government Jobs & Benefits:

   • Green Card holders are ineligible for some federal jobs that require U.S. citizenship.

   • Some government benefits (such as certain welfare programs) have restrictions for Green Card holders.

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Rights That Green Card Holders Have, But Citizens Do Not:

1. Can Hold Dual Citizenship Without Losing U.S. Status¹:

   • Green Card holders can retain citizenship in their home country while living in the U.S. as permanent residents.

   • U.S. citizens who naturalize in another country may be at risk of losing their U.S. citizenship (depending on the circumstances).

2. Some May Be Exempt from U.S. Military Service in Wartime:

   • U.S. citizens can be drafted during wartime.

   • Some Green Card holders may be exempt depending on treaties between the U.S. and their home country.

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Rights That U.S. Citizens Have, But Green Card Holders Do Not:

1. Right to Vote in State of Federal Elections²

   • Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections (presidential, congressional, etc.).

   • Green Card holders cannot vote in federal elections and may face deportation if they attempt to register or vote illegally.

2. Right to Hold a U.S. Passport and Travel Freely

   • U.S. citizens can obtain a U.S. passport, which provides stronger global travel protections and allows visa-free travel to many countries.

   • Green Card holders must use their home country’s passport and may face travel restrictions.

3. Right to Live Abroad Indefinitely Without Losing Status

   • U.S. citizens can live outside the U.S. without time limits and still retain their citizenship.

   • Green Card holders risk losing permanent resident status if they stay abroad for too long (generally over 6 months without a reentry permit or 1 year without a returning resident visa).

4. Right to Run for Federal Office

   • U.S. citizens can run for Congress and other elected positions.

   • Only natural-born citizens can run for President or Vice President.

   • Green Card holders cannot hold federal elected positions.

5. Right to Federal Employment Without Restrictions

   • U.S. citizens can apply for any federal job.

   • Green Card holders are restricted from jobs that require U.S. citizenship (such as FBI, CIA, and some Department of Defense positions).

6. Right to Serve on a Jury

   • U.S. citizens are eligible to serve on both federal and state juries.

   • Green Card holders cannot serve on juries.

7. Right to Receive Certain Government Benefits Without Restrictions

   • Some federal benefits (like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), some Medicare programs, and certain welfare benefits) are only available to U.S. citizens or require a long waiting period for Green Card holders.

8. Protection from Deportation

   • U.S. citizens cannot be deported, even if they commit crimes.

   • Green Card holders can be deported for serious crimes, fraud, or violating immigration laws.

9. Automatic Citizenship for Children Born Abroad (in Most Cases)

   • If a U.S. citizen has a child abroad, that child often automatically acquires U.S. citizenship.

   • Green Card holders must apply for their foreign-born children to immigrate to the U.S. through the legal process.

10. No Need to Renew Status

• U.S. citizenship is permanent and does not need to be renewed.

• Green Card holders must renew their permanent resident card every 10 years (or every 2 years for conditional Green Card holders³).

1. Here is a peculiarity that I think Trump should deal with.

2. Nine municipalities in Maryland and San Francisco, California, allow noncitizen voting in specific local elections.

3. Khalil might be this. Not sure.