Legal Definitions - alienism

Alienism refers to the legal status, condition, or characteristics of an individual who is considered an alien within a particular country. In legal terms, an alien is a person who is not a citizen or national of the country in which they are residing or present. This status defines the specific rights, obligations, and limitations that apply to them, distinguishing them from citizens of that nation.

• Voting Rights: In the United States, a permanent resident (often referred to as a green card holder) from Canada, despite living and working in the U.S. for many years and paying taxes, is generally not permitted to vote in federal elections. This inability to participate in the political process is a direct consequence of their alienism, as their legal status as a non-citizen precludes them from exercising this particular right reserved for citizens.

• Property Ownership Restrictions: Some nations have laws that restrict non-citizens from owning certain types of land, especially agricultural or strategically important properties. For instance, if a wealthy investor from another country wishes to purchase a large tract of farmland in a country with such restrictions, their legal status as an alien might prevent them from completing the transaction. This limitation on property rights is a characteristic of their alienism within that jurisdiction.

• Military Service Eligibility: Most countries reserve mandatory military service or enlistment in their armed forces for their own citizens. A person living in a foreign country on a student visa, even if they are physically fit and willing, would typically be ineligible to join that country's military. Their ineligibility stems from their alienism, as their non-citizen status means they do not meet the fundamental citizenship requirement for military service.