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HR 1208 116th Congress House Immigration American Samoa Citizenship and naturalization Constitution and constitutional amendments Education programs funding Elections, voting, political campaign regulation 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 13, 2019 Introduced by: Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman Republican · American Samoa See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Feb 13, 2019
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 13, 2019
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill establishes that a U.S. national who otherwise qualifies may become a citizen upon establishing residence and physical presence in a U.S. outlying possession (i.e. America Samoa and Swains Island). Currently, U.S. nationals must become a resident of a state to qualify for naturalization.

Individuals born in an outlying possession are U.S. nationals but do not automatically acquire citizenship through birth in an outlying possession.

The bill also waives certain naturalization requirements, including those related to English language proficiency and participation in a public ceremony, for individuals who have continuously resided in an outlying possession or state from birth to the approval of a naturalization application.

The Department of Interior may issue a grant to America Samoa for holding a referendum on whether those born or residing in America Samoa should be declared U.S. citizens.

What's happening now March 25, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3