P.L. 116-133: Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act
On March 26, 2020, the president signed P.L. 116-133.
This bill establishes that a foreign-born child of a U.S. citizen member of the armed forces or a government employee may automatically acquire U.S. citizenship even if the child is not residing in the United States. Currently, a foreign-born child automatically acquires U.S. citizenship if the child (1) has at least one parent who is a citizen, (2) is less than 18 years old, and (3) is residing in the United States in the citizen parent's legal and physical custody pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence. Under this bill, the third requirement is fulfilled if a foreign-born child is (1) living in the legal and physical custody of the citizen Armed Services member or government employee who has been stationed abroad (or the accompanying spouse of such a citizen), and (2) lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.