and a U.S. Citizen? I know someone who is trying to get her citizenship and is asking others to help defray the costs for pursuing it. I think the ONLY difference is that a citizen can vote and a resident can't. Am I right to think this is the only difference?

(09-29-2014 08:26 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  and a U.S. Citizen? I know someone who is trying to get her citizenship and is asking others to help defray the costs for pursuing it. I think the ONLY difference is that a citizen can vote and a resident can't. Am I right to think this is the only difference?

No.

Probably the most important difference is that resident aliens are still subject to deportation if they are convicted of a crime. In addition, Congress has plenary authority over resident aliens and has relatively free reign to pass laws differentiating between citizens and aliens. State governments can require citizenship for certain limited jobs involving core government functions. Naturalized citizens are not subject to the same problems.