Permanent resident vs citizen, What’s the difference?
My child is a U.S. Citizen and I didn’t even know!
Question: We just petitioned our child after not seeing him in our home country for over 2 years.
He will be coming to the U.S. as a Lawful Permanent Resident.
When can we apply for citizenship for him?
Answer: October 30, 2000, Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA) was signed into law.
The new law permitted foreign-born children (including adopted children) to acquire citizenship automatically if they meet certain requirements.
It became effective on February 27, 2001.
Question: Which Children Automatically Become Citizens Under the CCA?
Answer: Since February 27, 2001, certain foreign-born children of U.S. citizens
(including adopted children) residing permanently in the United States acquired citizenship automatically.
To be eligible, a child must meet the definition of “child” for naturalization purposes under immigration law,
and must also meet the following requirements:
Question: application be filed with USCIS to establish a child’s citizenship?
Answer: No. If a child qualifies for citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act,
the child’s citizenship status is no longer dependent on USCIS approving a naturalization application.
The child’s parents may, however,
file an application for a certificate of citizenship on the child’s behalf to obtain evidence of citizenship.
Question: Will Eligible Children Automatically Receive Proof of Citizenship?
Answer: If the child falls under this provision, they will automatically receive a Certificate of Citizenship within 45 days of admission into the U.S.
This program eliminates the need for the issuance of a Permanent Resident Card for newly entering children, since these cards are not applicable to U.S. citizens.
In other words, if the child falls under this provision of law,
the moment they are admitted as a Lawful Permanent Resident, they are immediately considered to be a U.S. Citizen.