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119-hr-449119th Congress

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

Sponsored By: Representative Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

Expedited naturalization for U.S. nationals in outlying possessions. This bill would let U.S. nationals who live in American Samoa or Swains Island count residence and physical presence there toward naturalization and waive some requirements for long‑time residents.

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  • U.S. nationals who otherwise qualify could naturalize by establishing residence and physical presence in an outlying possession instead of moving to a U.S. state. The bill allows agencies to hold interviews, filings, oaths, and ceremonies in those possessions and may reduce application fees.
  • Long‑time residents who have continuously lived in an outlying possession from birth to approval could be exempt from English language testing and from participating in a public naturalization ceremony. Absences over 180 days break continuity unless non‑abandonment is shown.
  • Children born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent could acquire citizenship by being present and residing in an outlying possession, where now they generally must be lawfully present in the United States.
  • The bill targets service members and other nationals who need citizenship for commissioned positions or security clearances by creating a faster, local pathway to citizenship.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Faster citizenship path for U.S. nationals

If enacted, U.S. nationals who are not citizens could naturalize after moving to any State and meeting normal rules. Or, if you have lived in a State or a U.S. outlying possession from birth through approval, you could use a birth-to-approval path without the English/civics test and some standard residency time rules. Time spent in outlying possessions would count as residence and physical presence. A break of more than 180 days outside any State or outlying possession would end continuous residence unless you show you did not abandon your home.

Easier citizenship for children of nationals

If enacted, a child of a U.S. national could qualify for citizenship in two ways. The child could be lawfully in the United States on a temporary status and keep that status. Or the child could live in a U.S. outlying possession.

Citizenship services in U.S. outlying possessions

If enacted, DHS would offer naturalization steps in U.S. outlying possessions when they apply. This would cover birth-to-approval applicants, residents applying based on military service, and certain children applying under section 322. Applications, interviews, oaths, and ceremonies would be available locally to the extent applicable.

Lower fees and fewer interviews for nationals

If enacted, DHS could charge a lower naturalization fee for birth-to-approval applicants. DHS could also waive the in-person interview for those cases. Both changes would be discretionary and set by the Secretary.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

AS • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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