quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
quick reference chart and notes for determining immigration - ILRC
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Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Quick Reference Chart <strong>and</strong> Notes<br />
February 2010<br />
Regarding the second question, 8 USC § 1431 provides that a person automatically<br />
acquires citizenship regardless of any criminal convictions (or other considerations) if the<br />
following four conditions are met:<br />
• At least one parent becomes a U.S. citizen by naturalization;<br />
• The child is under 18;<br />
• The child is a lawful permanent resident; <strong>and</strong><br />
• The child is in the legal <strong>and</strong> physical custody of the citizen parent.<br />
A prior version of this provision 11 required both parents to become U.S. citizens, or proof<br />
that the child was in the legal custody of the citizen parent if there had been divorce or<br />
separation. The beneficial new version of the law became effective on February 27, 2000. The<br />
courts have determined that it is not retroactive <strong>and</strong> that the person must have been under 18 on<br />
the effective date to benefit from the new provisions of 8 USC 1431. 12<br />
The best, most efficient way to obtain proof of acquired citizenship is to apply <strong>for</strong> a U.S.<br />
passport. See http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html <strong>for</strong> an application <strong>and</strong><br />
in<strong>for</strong>mation on how to do this.<br />
b. Who is a U.S. National?<br />
Persons born in an outlying possession of the United States, <strong>for</strong> example in American<br />
Samoa <strong>and</strong> Swains Isl<strong>and</strong>s, are U.S. nationals. 13 A national of the United States is not a U.S.<br />
citizen, but cannot be deported based upon a conviction.<br />
c. Defense Goals <strong>for</strong> U.S. Citizens <strong>and</strong> Nationals<br />
Cannot be deported. A U.S. citizen or national never can be legally deported or excluded<br />
(“removed”), held in <strong>immigration</strong> detention, or otherwise come under the jurisdiction of<br />
<strong>immigration</strong> en<strong>for</strong>cement procedures, regardless of their criminal history.<br />
However, U.S. citizens still can be hurt by a badly <strong>for</strong>med criminal plea: they can lose the<br />
ability to submit a family visa petition <strong>for</strong> an immigrant relative. Part of the Adam Walsh Act<br />
passed in 2006 imposes <strong>immigration</strong> penalties on U.S. citizens <strong>and</strong> permanent residents who are<br />
convicted of certain crimes relating to minors, by preventing them from filing a visa petition on<br />
behalf of a close family member. The specified offenses include relatively minor crimes such as false<br />
imprisonment or solicitation of any sexual conduct, where the victim is a minor. See Note 11, infra.<br />
11 8 USC 1432; INA 321 [repealed].<br />
12 Hughes v. Ashcroft, 255 F.3d 752 (9 th Cir. 2001); Matter of Rodrigues-Tejedor, 23 I. & N. Dec. 153 (BIA 2001).<br />
13 See INA §§ 308, 8 USC § 1408 <strong>and</strong> INA § 101(a)(29), 8 USC § 1101(a)(29). For a complete description of who<br />
can be non-citizen nationals, please see INA § 308 <strong>and</strong> Chapter 3, Noncitizen Nationals, Daniel Levy, U.S.<br />
Citizenship <strong>and</strong> Naturalization H<strong>and</strong>book (West Group).<br />
N-16 Immigrant Legal Resource Center