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USCIS clarifies naturalization eligibility for children

  1. Original Date Announced

    September 26, 2018

    USCIS issues guidance amending the USCIS Policy Manual, clarifying that children seeking naturalization under INA section 319 (battery, extreme cruelty, surviving children of deceased U.S. armed forces members) are not required to live with the U.S. citizen parent for the 3 years before the naturalization application is filed. [ID #630]

    USCIS Policy Alert 2018-07: Special Naturalization Provisions for Children
  2. Effective Date

    September 26, 2018
  3.  
  4. Biden Administration Action: Other

    July 18, 2024

    2024.07.18 Policy Alert - Children’s Acquisition of Citizenship Provisions.pdf

    This Biden administration policy clarifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On July 18, 2024, USCIS issued a policy alert describing changes to Volume 12 of its Policy Manual. It clarifies that for a child's naturalization application filed under the provision for children of U.S. citizens who have battered them or subjected them to extreme cruelty, a stepchild's relationship to a stepparent who is a U.S. citizen does not need to continue at the time of application for naturalization.

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Current Status

Fully in Effect

Most Recent Action

July 18, 2024 Action: Other 2024.07.18 Policy Alert - Children’s Acquisition of Citizenship Provisions.pdf
July 18, 2024
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Citizenship
Agencies Affected: USCIS

Pre Trump-Era Policies

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