A non-citizen is a person who was born outside of the United States and who has not become a United States citizen through either naturalization or deriving citizenship through a parent. There are many different immigration statuses and classifications discussed in this chapter. A person’s citizenship or immigration status is a key public benefits eligibility factor.

Note: Non-citizen U.S. nationals who were born in or have ties to certain U.S. territorial possessions have the same eligibility for Minnesota’s cash and food programs as U.S. citizens. See 0002.45 (Glossary: Netherlands’ Act…) for the definition of “non-citizen U.S. national.”

This chapter will help determine a person’s immigration status and whether they are eligible for public benefits based on their immigration status. Always determine eligibility based on all factors.

Non-citizens fall into the following broad categories:

●	Groups of Humanitarian Concern Afghan Humanitarian Parolees Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders Amerasians Asylees Cuban Entrants Haitian Entrants Iraqi Special Immigrants Trafficking Victims Refugees Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees
●	Lawfully Residing People
●	Non-Immigrants This group includes Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau U-Visa Holders
●	Lawful Permanent Residents Some Lawful Permanent Residents have a “sponsor” who is required to contribute to their household income. See 0031.33 (Sponsor Deeming)
●	Withholding of Removal/Deportation Withheld This group does NOT include people with Orders of Supervision. See 0031.27 (People who are Undocumented).
●	American Indians Born in Canada
●	Battered Spouses, Children, and Parents of Battered Children
●	People Paroled into the U.S. for one Year or more. See Groups of Humanitarian Concern for Afghan, Cuban, Haitian, and Ukrainian Parolees. Do not use this section for those groups.
●	Undocumented People

Use these sections to navigate non-citizen cases:

●	0031.30 (Verifications – Acceptable Immigration Documents)
●	0031.33 (Sponsor Deeming)
●	0031.36 (Immigration Court Orders)
●	0031.39 (Verifying Social Security Credits for Noncitizen Eligibility for Cash and Food Programs)
●	0031.42 (Public Charge)