Special visas available for young immigrants

May 09, 2013

Special visas available for young immigrants

Article provided by Petty & Stewart, PLLC
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The rate of foreign children entering the United States alone is on the rise. One cause of this increase is likely the violent drug culture currently booming in Central America. Children are fleeing gangs and drug cartels and fear what would happen if they were returned to their home countries.

Children are also entering the United States to live with loved ones already in the country. Regardless of the reason for coming to the U.S., many of these children qualify for special visas or naturalization through the Child Citizenship Act.

Special visas

There are many types of visas available for various purposes. One that young immigrants may qualify for is the U visa. This visa was created in 2000 and is designed to protect victims of crimes while allowing law enforcement authorities the ability to prosecute cases of trafficking and other crimes.

Eligibility may be available if the immigrant is a victim of abduction, sexual abuse, domestic violence, extortion, incest, slave trade, trafficking and other related crimes. Qualifications also include the ability to provide information about the criminal activity. A child under the age of sixteen can have a parent, guardian or friend assist enforcement officers by providing information about the crime on his or her behalf.

Child Citizenship Act of 2000

In addition to the U visa, the Child Citizenship Act may also offer a path to citizenship. This law allows foreign born children of American citizens the ability to automatically receive American citizenship.

According to the U.S. Department of State, in order to qualify, immigrants must:
-Have an American citizen parent by birth or naturalization
-Be under 18 years old
-Live with the American citizen parent, and
-Be admitted as an immigrant for lawful permanent residence

This law applies to both biological and adopted children.

These are only two of many routes to citizenship available for young immigrants. Determining the right path requires a careful review of each individual situation. As a result, those attempting to qualify for citizenship in the United States should contact an experienced immigration law attorney to discuss their unique situation and receive guidance through each step along the road to permanent residency and naturalization.