Permanent residents are non-citizens who hold green cards. Most people become green card holders by being sponsored by their: employer, or relative. While permanent residents do not have the full rights of a U.S. citizen, their immigration status allows them to legally live and work in the U.S. However, they usually have to renew their green card every 10 years. They can also naturalize and become U.S. citizens. Permanent residents, however, can be deported. One way they can be deported is if they commit a deportable crime. Many of these are misdemeanors.