What is the difference between a green card and citizenship?

The difference between a green card and citizenship is significant. A green card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows a person to live and work in the United States lawfully and permanently. A green card holder can also be eligible for certain benefits such as obtaining Social Security numbers, being able to purchase firearms, and certain federal and state benefits. However, a green card holder does not have the same rights as American citizens. On the other hand, citizenship requires meeting certain conditions and having a certain status in the United States. One can obtain citizenship by being born in the U.S., having a parent who is a citizen, applying through naturalization, or by marriage to a U.S. citizen. U.S. citizens have the right to vote, serve on a jury, obtain a passport, and can also be eligible for certain federal benefits. Additionally, as a U.S. citizen, a person is protected from deportation. In California, one way a person can obtain citizenship through marriage is by getting married to a U.S. citizen. However, it’s important to note that it can take several years and requires providing extensive evidence of the marriage in order to obtain citizenship. Additionally, one must prove that they have continuous residence in the U.S. and pass a civics and English test, in order to be eligible for citizenship.

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