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HR 5026 115th Congress House Immigration American Samoa Citizenship and naturalization Constitution and constitutional amendments Education programs funding Family relationships Immigration status and procedures Policy sciences U.S. territories and protectorates

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain requirements for naturalization for American Samoan United States nationals to become United States citizens, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 14, 2018 Introduced by: Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman Republican · American Samoa See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 8, 2018
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Feb 28, 2018
Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
Feb 14, 2018
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 14, 2018
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill simplifies the naturalization process for persons born in an outlying possession of the United States (American Samoa and Swains Island). Such persons are U.S. nationals rather than U.S. citizens by virtue of their birth in an outlying possession.

The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to permit a person to naturalize based upon residency in American Samoa. (Currently, a person from American Samoa must become a state resident in order to naturalize.)

The Department of Homeland Security may, with respect to an applicant: (1) administer the citizenship process (applications, filings, interviews, oaths, and ceremonies) in American Samoa, (2) reduce application fees, and (3) waive the personal interview requirement.

Such applicants are exempted from the naturalization requirement to demonstrate English language and U.S. civics proficiency.

A U.S. citizen parent may apply for naturalization on behalf of a child born in American Samoa.

The bill provides that no court shall have jurisdiction over any naturalization application filed by or on behalf of a resident of American Samoa.

What's happening now March 8, 2018

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4