Immigrants are individuals who intend to remain permanently in the United States.
Nonimmigrants are individuals who come for a temporary stay. Those entering the United States as immigrants have the intent to remain permanently, and can abandon their foreign residence. Individuals seeking to enter the United States as nonimmigrants must demonstrate that they have a residence abroad which they have no intention of abandoning. Virginia Office of the Attorney General U.S. Immigration Law Basics. Richmond, VA, 1999.