PASS THE ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 2021
Their family, their friends, their community is here.
Their citizenship should be, too.
THE PROBLEM
Closing the Loophole
Through no fault of their own, some people who were adopted internationally by U.S. citizen parents, still lack U.S. citizenship today. As a result, these individuals have had to endure numerous problems including difficulty attending college, accessing banking services or starting their careers. Without their rightful citizenship, they are unable to vote or access critical government supports and services such as the unemployment benefits that helped so many families during this time of financial crisis. Many of them only find out they lack citizenship when they do things like fill out a FAFSA, join the Armed Services, apply for a passport or apply for benefits. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 was only a partial fix because it only granted automatic citizenship to foreign-born adopted persons who were under the age of 18 at the time the bill was enacted. Thus, leaving an entire population of adopted individuals without U.S. citizenship, and sending the wrong message to foreign governments who entrusted their children to loving, adoptive U.S. families.
THE SOLUTION
About the Legislation
The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2021 (H.R. 1593/S.967) closes the loophole to provide immediate citizenship to these children already adopted by U.S. citizens yet left out of the previous bill. This bill provides equity to these individuals who should have every legal right of any other child of a U.S. citizen. It amends the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 in order to give citizenship to individuals brought to live in the U.S. through intercountry adoption who were excluded under the current law, and ensure automatic citizenship for every full and final adoption by a U.S. citizen. Securing permanent citizenship for these individuals demonstrates due respect for the intercountry adoption process and strengthens the U.S. position as an advocate for adoption to ensure every child has a permanent, loving family.
TAKE ACTION
Stand Up for Adoptee Citizenship
Use NCFA's Action Center to quickly and easily contact your members of Congress about the Adoptee Citizenship Act. Once you enter your address information, the system will automatically generate a customizable message tailored to the members' bill sponsor status and position on one of the Committees currently reviewing the bill. You can send an email, make a phone call, and post to the members' social pages.
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