New York, NY immigration attorney Robert B. Scott discusses the benefits a citizen has that a green card holder doesn’t have. He explains that U.S. citizen has several key rights and protections that a green card holder does not. A citizen can vote in elections, serve on a jury, and live virtually anywhere in the world without jeopardizing their status.

A green card holder, by contrast, cannot vote and must maintain physical residence in the United States to protect their permanent resident status. If a green card holder leaves the country and remains abroad for an extended period, the U.S. government can revoke their green card and terminate their residency.

Because of these limitations, once someone attains permanent residence, it is often advisable to explore becoming a U.S. citizen. Citizenship ensures that an individual never has to worry about losing their status. Another major benefit of naturalization is protection from deportation. If a green card holder commits a crime or engages in conduct that makes them deportable, they risk losing their status and being removed from the country. A naturalized U.S. citizen, however, cannot be deported, even if they were not born in the United States.