Residential Glossary

Naturalized Citizen: An immigrant who has applied for and received citizenship status from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Requirements include basic English language and writing skills, as well as some knowledge of American history and civics. Immigrants cannot apply until they have lived in this country for five years. However, immigrants who marry a U.S. citizen may go through the naturalization process after three years.

Legal Immigrant: Otherwise known as lawful permanent residents (LPR), legal immigrants have been issued a visa from the State Department to live and/or work in the U.S. LPRs have to be sponsored by family members already living in the U.S., or they must secure employment-based sponsorship. Requirements include medical and criminal background checks.

Illegal Immigrant: Immigrants who either entered the country illegally or who have overstayed their visas. INS estimates that five million immigrants are living in the U.S. illegally.