If you are an adult adoptee from a foreign country, you might already be a U.S. citizen. What happens if you are adopted from a foreign country and your parents did not file for naturalization when you were a minor, and you are not a U.S. citizen? Under current United States law, section 320 of the INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) as amended by the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA), which took effect on February 27, 2001, adopted children automatically acquire citizenship when they are admitted into the United States if they:
If the foreign adopted child does not meet these conditions, they will remain an LPR and can apply for naturalization to become a citizen once they are eligible.
Naturalization is the process for a person to voluntarily apply to become a permanent U.S. citizen. The naturalization process can take a long time, and there are many steps to prepare for naturalization, including:
• Evaluation of citizenship eligibility
• Overcoming any barriers to ineligibility
• File USCIS Form N-400
• Get fingerprinted and other biometric requirements
• Attend a citizenship interview
• Attend an oath ceremony where you are granted U.S. citizenship and say the Pledge of Allegiance
A new bill, the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021 (H.R. 1593), would ensure internationally adopted children can become citizens. This bill would make citizenship automatic for international adoptees who were legally adopted by U.S. citizens as children, regardless of how old they were when the Child Citizenship Act goes into effect.
An experienced citizenship and immigration lawyer can help you navigate complicated and stressful citizenship and naturalization requirements if you were adopted from a foreign country as a child. Mario Godoy and the other immigration attorneys at the Godoy Law Office can assess your situation and advise you on your best options. Call today at 630-912-0322.
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AREAS WE SERVE: Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will and Lake Counties
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.