What is a right only for United States citizens?

The right to vote is a fundamental right exclusively granted to United States citizens. This right is enshrined in the Constitution and various amendments, including the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments, which specifically prohibit the denial of the right to vote on the basis of race, sex, age (for those 18 and older), and other factors. Voting is crucial for participating in the democratic process and influencing government decisions at local, state, and federal levels.

In contrast, the rights to own land, work, and travel are available to many residents, including non-citizens. While land ownership and the opportunity to work are generally accessible to permanent residents and sometimes even non-immigrants, the right to vote remains firmly within the jurisdiction of citizenship in the U.S. This distinction underscores the importance of citizenship in exercising one of the most vital aspects of democracy.