Bill Sponsor
House Bill 1941
117th Congress(2021-2022)
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in House on Mar 16, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Mar 16, 2021
Latest Action
May 18, 2021
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1941
Congress
117
Policy Area
Immigration
Immigration
Primary focus of measure is administration of immigration and naturalization matters; immigration enforcement procedures; refugees and asylum policies; travel and residence documentation; foreign labor; benefits for immigrants. Measures concerning smuggling and trafficking of persons may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area. Measures concerning refugees may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
American Samoa
Democrat
Northern Mariana Islands
Democrat
U.S. Virgin Islands
House Votes (0)
Senate Votes (0)
No House votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

This bill waives certain requirements for U.S. nationals applying for citizenship.

Currently, individuals born in an outlying possession (i.e., American Samoa or Swains Island) are U.S. nationals but do not automatically acquire citizenship through birth in an outlying possession.

Under this bill, a U.S. national who otherwise qualifies may become a citizen upon establishing residence and physical presence in a U.S. outlying possession. Currently, U.S. nationals must become a resident of a state to qualify for naturalization.

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.

Furthermore, upon meeting other requirements, this bill allows a child born abroad of a U.S. citizen parent to acquire citizenship by establishing presence and residency in an outlying possession, where currently such a child must be lawfully present in the United States to acquire citizenship through this method.

Text (1)
March 16, 2021
Actions (3)
05/18/2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
03/16/2021
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
03/16/2021
Introduced in House
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 8, 2023 8:26:21 PM