Mr. Speaker. I introduce a bill which would seek to correct inequities in our immigration law regarding derivative citizenship. First. the bill would amend section 301 (a) (7) in order to correct a serious injustice against certain classes of citizens of the United States who serve this country abroad as officials or employees of the U.S. Government. or of a public international organization. and their children. Under existing law a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen father and an alien mother. or vice versa. does not acquire U.S. citizenship at birth unless the citizen parent. prior to the birth of the child. was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than 10 years. at least five of which were after attaining the age of 14 years. At present. only members of the Armed Forces may count the periods of honorable service abroad in order to meet the physical presence requirement of section 301(a) (7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. My bill would merely extend the same right to those civilians serving our Government abroad. The problem which the proposed amendment is designed to overcome is a continually recurring one and is likely to intensify in view of the large number of American parents who. in recent years. have had protracted assignments abroad in connection with their official duties.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigration