[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5548-S5549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. HUTCHISON:
  S. 939. A bill amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to confer 
citizenship automatically on children residing abroad in the legal and 
physical custody of a citizen parent serving in a Government or 
military position abroad; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I am pleased to offer legislation on 
an issue important to many of our military and government families 
assigned

[[Page S5549]]

overseas. Currently, if one of these families adopts a child who is a 
citizen of the United States, that child is not automatically eligible 
for citizenship. Current law allows U.S. citizens residing in the 
United States to adopt children from overseas and to automatically 
confer citizenship on these children who are residing in the legal and 
physical custody of the citizen parent. My bill would allow U.S. 
military and government employees who are stationed overseas and adopt 
a child to enjoy the same ability to have citizenship automatically 
conferred.
  Today many of our service members and government employees are 
stationed overseas serving their country. Some of these families want 
to offer their home and their hearts to children needing a good, loving 
family. The opportunity is often missed by these families because of 
this oversight in the current law. This amendment will ensure that 
those who are serving our nation and our government overseas are not 
penalized when adopting children during their tour.
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