Can my 16-year old child keep the home country citizenship?

C

cbj541

New Member
I would appreciate any of your comments.

I'm a naturalized US citizen living in US. My 16-year old child lives outside of US as a home country (Country X) citizen. I'm applying for his immigration. I-130 was approved. I submitted I-864. Now I was told by NVC I must complete I-864W, as he will become a US citizen immediately upon entry under the Child Citizenship Act (CCA), we meet all the criteria.

My dilemma is that, my child's home country does not allow dual citizenship. Once he acquires US citizneship automatically, he has to give up his Country X citizenship. At this time my child is not ready to give up his home country citizenship due to his deep root in home country and little knowledge about US. Once he is in US, he wants to keep his PR status for some years. Then he will be mature enough to decide if he wants to become a US citizen later.

My question is, once he is in US with IR-2 visa, can he choose to keep his Country X citizenship? In another word, can he NOT acquire the US citizenship automatically, and just keep his Green Card status for some years?
 
Thank you all for the reply.
Once my son is in US with me, he is going to travel back once a year. If he goes back with his original home country passport, the home country Border agents would ask to see his US greencard. Belive me, this sounds weird but it's true.
Once my son is in US as PR, he still wants to continue the PR status. Would US INS take my son's green card away because of the Child Citizenship Act and my son acquires the US citizenship automatically? Without Green Card, my son would not be able to travel freely with his home country passport.
 
I think you should wait till your son crosses over with an immigrant visa. In a couple of weeks he should get his plastic GC. Just keep it and don't apply for an american passport or a certificate of naturalization for the kid.
 
LucyMO,
I think you are right. Once my son is in US, if I don't apply for his Certificate of Citizenship or US passport, he should be able to keep his GC for years, right? I just want to make sure USCIS is not to take my son's GC away because of my son's eligibility of this child citizenship act. Thanks.
 
Probably true, but technically, as soon as he enters the US with LPR status he will automagically become a US citizen. The only way to avoid this is by him not entering the US as an LPR until after his 18th birthday.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top