Children of U.S. citizen parents who are born outside of the United States will very often qualify for citizenship. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to begin their lives as happy, safe, and productive members of society. Unfortunately, the process is not always so simple, which is why you must retain the services of an experienced immigration attorney who is ready to help you. Please read on and reach out to our knowledgeable and compassionate immigration firm to learn more about the legal process going forward:
Who generally qualifies for citizenship in the United States?
The first thing you should know is that you may only qualify for citizenship through U.S. citizen parents either at birth or before the age of 18. An individual who is born outside of the United States must have at least one U.S. citizen parent who has lived in the United States for a certain period of time.
Will a child of a U.S. citizen residing in the United States qualify for citizenship?
A child born outside of the United States who is now residing in the U.S. may qualify for citizenship if the following criteria have been met on or after February 27, 2001.
- The child is under 18 years old
- The child has at least one parent who is a United States citizen either by birth or through naturalization
- The child is currently residing in the United States in the legal and physical custody of his or her U.S. citizen parent
- The child is a lawful permanent resident in the United States
Will a child of a U.S. citizen residing outside of the United States qualify for citizenship?
In many cases, children currently residing outside of the United States may also gain U.S. citizenship if he or she meets the following requirements:
- The child has at least one parent who is a United States citizen
- The child is under 18 years old
- The child is currently residing outside of the United States under the physical and legal custody of U.S. citizen parent
- The child’s U.S. citizen parent meets the physical presence requirements in the United States
- The child is lawfully admitted, physically present, and currently maintaining lawful status in the United Staes when the application is approved and during his or her naturalization ceremony
Contact our experienced Wisconsin firm
John Sesini is an experienced immigration attorney with offices in Green Bay and Milwaukee Wisconsin. Our firm understands what is at stake when it comes to immigration law matters, which is why If you have any questions, you should not hesitate to contact the Sesini Law Group, S.C. and schedule your initial consultation with our firm today.