resident alien
Americannoun
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an alien who has legally established residence in the United States.
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an alien who has legally entered the United States as an immigrant with the intention of becoming a citizen.
Etymology
Origin of resident alien
First recorded in 1800–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ono was allowed to stay — and granted status as a "permanent resident alien" — so she could pursue her efforts to find her daughter.
From Salon • Mar. 22, 2025
Indeed, as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States I would like to do my best to help.
From The Guardian • Feb. 22, 2017
Numbers 9, for example, orders the creation of single statute, “for both the resident alien and the native.”
From Slate • Nov. 25, 2015
Question: If a resident alien moves back to her own country, can she get Social Security checks deposited in her native country?
From Forbes • Aug. 23, 2014
What, pray, does the resident alien acquire by the transmuting process of naturalization?
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
