Final answer:
Lawful permanent residents have legal immigration status and certain rights and protections in the U.S., while undocumented immigrants lack legal status and face risks such as low-paying jobs and deportation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and undocumented immigrants is that LPRs have legal immigration status, while undocumented immigrants do not. LPRs are individuals who have been lawfully admitted to the United States and may live and work anywhere in the country, attend public schools, and join the armed forces. They can also qualify for some Social Security benefits and are on the path to naturalization if they choose. In contrast, undocumented immigrants are non-citizens who enter the United States without government permission or stay beyond the termination date of a visa, thereby violating United States nationality law. These individuals do not have legal status, which often confines them to low-paying jobs and poses the risk of exposure and deportation.