To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes.
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 449 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would make it easier for certain people to become U.S. citizens. Currently, people born in American Samoa or Swains Island are considered U.S. nationals but are not automatically citizens. The bill would allow these nationals to become citizens by living in these U.S.
territories, rather than having to move to one of the 50 states as they must do now. It would also waive some naturalization requirements for long-time residents of these areas, including the need to pass an English language test or participate in a citizenship ceremony. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects U.S. nationals from American Samoa and Swains Island who want to become citizens, as well as children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. These groups currently face additional requirements that this bill would remove. **Current Status:** HR 449 was introduced by Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
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.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.