WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan bill introduced yesterday would allow thousands internationally-adopted children who have grown up in the U.S. and are now adults to automatically receive citizenship by closing a loophole in previous legislation.
Introduced by Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) along with Reps. Adam Smith (D-Washington) and Chris Smith (R-New Jersey), the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018 would close a loophole in the Childhood Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA) which prevented many internationally-adopted children from receiving citizenship, despite being raised by American parents and only knowing the U.S. as home.
The bill would remove uncertainty and deportation fears for international adoptees who, despite growing up in the U.S. in American families, were excluded from the CCA because they were over 18 at the time of its implementation. Removing such uncertainty not only promotes economic stability and opportunity for those affected, but upholds the family values essential to our nation.
“The Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2018 is an example of the kind of bipartisan, proactive cooperation on immigration that Congress needs more of,” said Jacinta Ma, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Immigration Forum. “Immigration legislation that recognizes and protects families with just, compassionate solutions is a step in the right direction for all Americans. Congress should move forward with this legislation and uphold the values that define our nation.”