A long story short, I can’t vote in U.S. federal, state, and local elections. Because I am a permanent resident (green card holder).
There are some differences between permanent resident status and citizenship.
〇 Permanent Resident CAN NOT (based on my current status):
➀ Vote in U.S. elections
➁ Work for any federal government or related jobs
➂ Apply for a Family Visa
➃ Stay outside the U.S. over 1 year without having a Re-entry Permit
I don’t usually feel the difference between permanent resident status and citizenship, but I feel it when I show my passport. My husband and children have American passports, but I only have a Japanese passport.
My native country, Japan, prohibits multiple citizenship (nationality). In addition, I am the first grandchild, and I don’t have siblings. I am responsible for taking care of my parents and their house in the future. So, I haven’t changed my citizenship (nationality).
In Japan, of course, I voted in political elections. My dad was a sushi chef and managed the restaurant. But also, he worked as a secretary to the city councilor at different times. After he became a secretary, his uncle took over the business. My dad’s mother was a shamisen (Japanese musical instrument) teacher and had taught a city councilor’s mom.
When I was a child, I was close to the city councilor’s daughter. We had been good friends until she suddenly passed away with hypothyroidism.
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