[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 449 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 449
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain
naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2025
Mrs. Radewagen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain
naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. WAIVER OF CERTAIN NATURALIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNITED
STATES NATIONALS TO BECOME UNITED STATES CITIZENS.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Both United States citizens and United States nationals
are persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.
(2) United States nationals serve in the United States
Armed Services at a very high per capita rate.
(3) Commissioned military officers and certain security
clearances require United States nationals to become United
States citizens.
(4) Many United States nationals desire to become United
States citizens.
(5) United States nationals attend United States Department
of Education curriculum-approved and regulated schools.
(6) United States nationals serving in the military or
other United States national civilians desiring to obtain
United States citizenship should be entitled to citizenship on
an expedited basis without having to move, having any further
educational testing required, or having any fee or cost
assessed.
(b) Naturalization of Certain United States Nationals.--Section 325
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1436) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 325. NATIONALS BUT NOT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES; RESIDENCE
WITHIN OUTLYING POSSESSIONS.
``(a) Eligibility for Naturalization.--A person not a citizen who
owes permanent allegiance to the United States, and who is otherwise
qualified, may--
``(1) if the person becomes a resident of any State, be
naturalized upon compliance with the applicable requirements of
this title, except that in applications for naturalization
filed under the provisions of this section, residence and
physical presence within the United States within the meaning
of this title shall include residence and physical presence
within any of the outlying possessions of the United States; or
``(2) if the person has continuously resided in any State
or outlying possession of the United States from birth to the
date of approval of the application, be naturalized upon
compliance with the applicable requirements of this title other
than sections 312 and 337(a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 316(a).
``(b) Jurisdiction.--The Secretary shall provide that applications,
interviews, filings, oaths, ceremonies, or other proceedings under this
title, to the extent applicable, are available in an outlying
possession of the United States with respect to--
``(1) any applicant for naturalization under subsection
(a)(2);
``(2) any applicant for naturalization under section 328 or
329 who is a resident of an outlying possession of the United
States; or
``(3) any child described in section 322(a)(5)(B) for whom
an application is made under section 322.
``(c) Construction.--In determining eligibility for naturalization
under subsection (a)(2)--
``(1) absence from any State or outlying possession of the
United States for a continuous period of more than 180 days
shall break the continuity of such residence, unless the person
establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland
Security that the person did not abandon such person's
residence during such period;
``(2) in conducting the investigation and examination of
the person under sections 332(a) and 335, the Secretary of
Homeland Security may in the discretion of the Secretary waive
a personal interview of the person; and
``(3) the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the discretion
of the Secretary, may impose a reduced fee for an application
for naturalization under such subsection compared to other
applications for naturalization, taking into account the
relative costs of processing an application for naturalization
under such subsection.''.
(c) Children of United States Nationals.--Section 322(a)(5) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1433(a)(5)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(5) The child--
``(A) is temporarily present in the United States
pursuant to a lawful admission, and is maintaining such
lawful status; or
``(B) is present and resides in an outlying
possession of the United States''.
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