Given the increasing number of couples who have not been able to adopt an American born child. an increasing number of couples. anxious to experience the pleasures of raising a child. are choosing to adopt a child born in a foreign country. Once these children are adopted. they are due all the rights and privileges of an American born child. Of course. because they were born in a foreign country. these adopted children must be naturalized as United States citizens. The naturalization process for minor children. Mr. President. is meant as a formality only. According to current law. adopted children are eligible for naturalization immediately following their adoption and lawful admission to the United States. They are not required to establish any particular period of residence. And. if they are of "tender years." they may be presumed to be of "good moral character. attached to the principles of the Constitution. and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States." Unfortunately. the INS is not adhering to these polices. These adopted childrenfrequently infantsand their parents are forced to go through a lengthy. demanding naturalization process. which includes preliminary hearings. or examinations. which are supposed to be used to determine their character. Imagine the hardship these hearings cause both parents and children: The parents. who only want to accept these new children into their homes and make them feel welcome. the children. strangers in a new land and a new family. who only want to be accepted in both. Mr.
Keywords matched
naturalization naturalized