Naturalized Citizen vs. Unnaturalized Citizen

Attribute	Naturalized Citizen	Unnaturalized Citizen
Acquisition of citizenship	Through legal process	By birth or descent
Eligibility requirements	Residency, language proficiency, good moral character	None
Right to vote	Yes	Yes
Eligibility for certain government positions	Yes	Yes
Eligibility for certain benefits	Yes	Yes

Naturalized Citizen

A naturalized citizen is an individual who was not born in the country they are now a citizen of, but has gone through the legal process to become a citizen. This process typically involves meeting certain residency requirements, passing a citizenship test, and taking an oath of allegiance to the country. Naturalized citizens enjoy many of the same rights and privileges as citizens who were born in the country, including the right to vote, run for public office, and receive government benefits.

• Naturalized citizens have the same legal rights and protections as native-born citizens.
• They are eligible to vote in elections and participate in the democratic process.
• They can hold public office and serve in the military.
• They have the right to live and work in the country indefinitely.
• They can apply for government benefits and assistance programs.

Unnaturalized Citizen

An unnaturalized citizen, on the other hand, is an individual who is living in a country without having gone through the legal process to become a citizen. This could be someone who is living in the country on a temporary visa, or someone who entered the country illegally. Unnaturalized citizens do not have the same rights and privileges as naturalized or native-born citizens, and may face legal consequences for their status.

• Unnaturalized citizens may not be eligible to vote or run for public office.
• They may not have access to certain government benefits or assistance programs.
• They may be at risk of deportation if their immigration status is discovered.
• They may face barriers to employment and education opportunities.
• They may not have the same legal protections as naturalized or native-born citizens.

Comparison

When comparing naturalized citizens to unnaturalized citizens, it is clear that there are significant differences in their rights and privileges. Naturalized citizens have gone through the legal process to become citizens of a country, and as a result, they are entitled to many of the same rights and protections as native-born citizens. They have the ability to fully participate in the democratic process, access government benefits, and live and work in the country indefinitely.

On the other hand, unnaturalized citizens may face numerous challenges due to their lack of legal status. They may not have the same opportunities for education and employment, and they may be at risk of deportation if their immigration status is discovered. Unnaturalized citizens also do not have the same rights to vote or run for public office, and may not have access to certain government benefits and assistance programs.

Overall, the differences between naturalized and unnaturalized citizens highlight the importance of following the legal process to become a citizen of a country. Naturalized citizens are able to fully participate in society and enjoy the rights and privileges that come with citizenship, while unnaturalized citizens may face numerous challenges and limitations due to their lack of legal status.