I saw a advertisement for Kaplan test-prep today. A note on the bottom specified that they accept “non-immigrant aliens.” What the hell is that? If someone was born here, then he is a citizen, not an alien. Or is it just a fancy umbrella term for groups like Native Americans who consider themselves a separate nation?
I don’t know who first said “everyone’s a critic,” but I think it’s a really stupid saying.
I think it means a person who was born in another country, currently has residency in another country, and does not intend to immigrate to the US.
An immigrant alien is someone who is a citizen of another country, but has permanent residency (i.e. a green card) here.
This is as opposed to a nonimmigrant alien, who is here on a visitor’s, student, or temporary employment visa. (Or is illegal, of course.)
uh, scratch that parenthetical bit. Illegal aliens aren’t “immigrant aliens” (in the INS sense) but they’re not “nonimmigrant aliens” either. Sorry folks it’s late. 
When I was a “resident alien”, I had to fill out an “alien registration card” each year, informing my address. Also needed to get a “sailing permit” to leave the country. Those on a tourist visa can come and go as they please, in the visa period.
You don’t have to anymore. You do have to list your comings and goings when you apply for citizenship afterward.