Feature

Refugee

Lawful Permanent Resident

U.S. Citizen

Core statute

INA section 207

INA section 245/section 209

INA section 316–section 337

Work authorisation

Automatic from admission; no EAD needed though Form I‑765 may be requested for ID

Unlimited in any lawful employment

Unlimited

Travel document

Refugee Travel Document (Form I‑131) required to re‑enter

Re‑entry Permit (Form I‑131) if abroad ≥ 1 year

U.S. passport

Public benefits eligibility

Federal Reception & Placement and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits for time‑limited periods

Generally ineligible for federal means‑tested benefits for first 5 years; exceptions apply

Full eligibility

Petition for relatives

Form I‑730 for spouse/children within 2 years

Immediate family & preference relatives (I‑130)

Same, plus parents, married sons/daughters, siblings

Voting in federal elections

Prohibited (crime)

Prohibited (crime)

Permitted

Hold elected federal office

Not permitted

Not permitted

Permitted (subject to constitutional rules)

Serve on juries

Not eligible

Not eligible

Eligible/obligatory

U.S. military service

May enlist in limited circumstances

Eligible to enlist

Eligible; may hold commissioned rank

Deportability

Status may be terminated for specified grounds

Deportable for certain offences or abandonment of residence

Cannot be deported (except if citizenship was procured by fraud)