I guess I was wrong and I do apologize for misleading

Per IRS definition: one only needs to be a resident, not have to be a resident alien.

http://www.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/hows/tax_tutorials/mod04/tt_mod04_08.jsp

Citizenship Test — Qualifying Relative

Taxpayers will meet this test for persons who are, for some part of the year,

U.S. citizens or residents, or
residents of Canada or Mexico.