USCIS issues guidance on citizenship requirements for children of military members and government employees stationed abroad

Original Date Announced
September 18, 2020
USCIS issues guidance implementing the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act. The statute enables children born outside the U.S. of U.S. citizen military members and government employees stationed abroad to automatically become U.S. citizens without requiring them to be living in the U.S. [ID #1050]
USCIS Implements New Law Related to Citizenship for Children of Military Members and U.S. Government Employees Stationed Overseas Chapter 4 - Automatic Acquisition of Citizenship after Birth (INA 320)
Effective Date
March 26, 2020

Fully in Effect

Status: Final/Actual

Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive

Subject Matter: Citizenship

Agencies Affected: USCIS

Associated or Derivative Policies

March 26, 2020
Statute being implemented
Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act.
August 28, 2020
In August 2020, USCIS announced a Policy Manual update, redefining "residence" with respect to children born outside the U.S. to a U.S. citizen parent or parents to limit automatic citizenship for children of U.S. service members and government employees stationed abroad. This change was widely criticized, and Congress responded in a bipartisan fashion, passing the Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act.
2019.08.28 USCIS Policy Manual Update