Illegal Teenager Immigration Options. What option does a illegal teenager have to become a citizen. There are various issues as to what they might qualify for. However, if they are under 21, they can climb on the petitions of their parents. Thus, we would have to see what the parents might qualify for. If the child is under 18 years and 6 months, they should consider leaving the U.S. because they would not be subject to the 3/10 year bar. Native-born U.S. citizens are, regardless of who their parents are, granted all of the rights that every other citizen is entitled to, such as the rights to vote, assume public office, and be immune from deportation (removal). They argue that allowing such children U.S. citizenship was not the original intent of the drafters of the 14th Amendment.