[AmericanInTokyo]

When you think about it, "Permanent Residence" status for foreigners in the United States, (i.e. being granted a "Green Card" either overseas from one of our Consulates, or once one is in the USA, gives you the benefits of US citizens in almost all areas, (including 2nd Ammendment rights, at least on a federal level--while certain states may forbid) with the exception of "serving as President of the United States", or voting, or serving on a jury, or being subject to selective service. Other than that, the rights/obligations are almost the same.

Also, in response to another poster, it is quite possible that if this perp had a Green Card, and had only been in the USA since August, that he was issued the Green Card OVERSEAS at one of our US Embassies/Consulates, after a long period of processing, so it does not necessarily follow that the Green Card he may have had was "fake".

[dawn53]

But if he had a Green Card why would he need a student visa?

My husband was naturalized a few years ago, and a Green Card was all that was needed to be in the country. If you possess that, you don’t need any type of visa.

[BohDaThone]

Most foreigners of appropriate age ARE subject to selective service. From the SSS web site:

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Some non-citizens are required to register. Others are not. Noncitizens who are not required to register with Selective Service include men who are in the U.S. on student or visitor visas, and men who are part of a diplomatic or trade mission and their families. Almost all other male noncitizens are required to register, including illegal aliens, legal permanent residents, and refugees. The general rule is that if a male noncitizen takes up residency in the U.S. before his 26th birthday, he must register with Selective Service.