This bill streamlines the naturalization process for U.S. nationals living in outlying possessions by waiving certain requirements and ensuring local access to citizenship services.
Aumua Amata Radewagen
Representative
AS
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a streamlined path to U.S. citizenship for lifelong residents of U.S. outlying possessions, such as American Samoa. It waives standard naturalization requirements—including English and civics testing—for these individuals and ensures that all necessary naturalization proceedings can be completed locally. Additionally, the legislation expands citizenship eligibility for children residing in these territories.
New Bill Streamlines Citizenship for U.S. Nationals: Eliminates Testing and Localizes Processing in Outlying Possessions
This bill creates a direct and simplified fast-track to U.S. citizenship for people born and raised in U.S. outlying possessions, such as American Samoa. Under the proposed changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act, U.S. nationals who have lived continuously in these territories from birth until their application is approved will no longer be required to pass the standard English and civics exams or take the formal oath of allegiance. It essentially recognizes that if you’ve been part of the American family since day one, you shouldn't have to jump through the same hoops as someone arriving from a foreign country for the first time.
Bringing the Process Home
One of the most practical shifts in this legislation is the mandate for the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide full naturalization services locally. Currently, many residents in remote territories have to deal with significant travel costs and logistical headaches just to attend an interview or a ceremony. Section 1 of the bill changes that by requiring that applications, interviews, and ceremonies happen right there in the outlying possessions. This applies not just to lifelong residents, but also to U.S. national military members and children living in these areas. For a soldier stationed at home or a busy parent, this removes a massive financial and time barrier to securing full citizenship rights.
The Fine Print on Residency
While the bill makes things easier, it does set a strict bar for what counts as "continuous residence." If an applicant is away from the territory or the U.S. for more than 180 days in a single stretch, the bill considers that a break in residency. However, there is a bit of a gray area: the Secretary of Homeland Security has the power to waive this rule if the person can prove they didn't actually "abandon" their home. This gives the government a fair amount of discretion. On the plus side, the bill also allows the government to waive the personal interview entirely and suggests lower application fees, acknowledging that these streamlined cases cost the taxpayer less to process.
Opening Doors for the Next Generation
The bill also cleans up some old rules that made things difficult for families. Previously, children of U.S. nationals often had to be physically present in a U.S. State to qualify for certain citizenship paths. The new language in Section 322(a)(5) ensures that a child living in an outlying possession is treated with the same priority as a child living in the States. This means a family in American Samoa can secure their child’s citizenship without having to book a flight to Hawaii or the mainland, ensuring that the next generation has the same legal standing regardless of which part of the U.S. map they call home.