To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 16, 2021
This bill waives certain requirements for U.S. nationals applying for citizenship.
Currently, individuals born in an outlying possession (i.e., American Samoa or Swains Island) are U.S. nationals but do not automatically acquire citizenship through birth in an outlying possession.
Under this bill, a U.S. national who otherwise qualifies may become a citizen upon establishing residence and physical presence in a U.S. outlying possession. Currently, U.S. nationals must become a resident of a state to qualify for naturalization.
The bill also waives certain naturalization requirements, including those related to English language proficiency and participation in a public ceremony, for individuals who have continuously resided in an outlying possession or state from birth to the approval of a naturalization application.
Furthermore, upon meeting other requirements, this bill allows a child born abroad of a U.S. citizen parent to acquire citizenship by establishing presence and residency in an outlying possession, where currently such a child must be lawfully present in the United States to acquire citizenship through this method.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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