Are there any special rules for a child to become a U.S. citizen through their parent’s acquisition of a green card?

In Virginia, children who become U.S. citizens through their parent’s acquisition of a green card may benefit from certain rules. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a child can acquire U.S. citizenship through their parent’s green card in two ways. The first way is for a child to be automatically granted U.S. citizenship when the parent becomes naturalized. Any child under the age of 18 who is residing in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident is eligible to become a U.S. citizen when their parent completes the naturalization process. However, the child must be residing in the U.S. with a parent who is already a U.S. citizen. The second way is for a child to obtain U.S. citizenship after their parent has already become a green card holder. In this situation, the child will have to submit an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application must include evidence that the parent has had a green card for at least five years and, in some cases, the child must also prove that they have “resided in the U.S. in a continuous and uninterrupted manner.” In either case, the child must obtain a Certificate of Citizenship from USCIS in order for them to have full rights as a U.S. citizen. After a Certificate of Citizenship is granted, the child can then apply for a U.S. passport and utilize other benefits that U.S. citizens are entitled to.

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En Virginia, hay varias reglas específicas para la obtención de la ciudadanía estadounidense a través de los padres de los niños. Para que los niños sean elegibles para un green card por medio de los padres, el niño debería ser menor de 18 años, y vivir legalmente en el país, en un ambiente familiar en unión de ambos padres. Además de cumplir con los requisitos mencionados anteriormente, tanto el niño como los padres deben cumplir ciertas condiciones. El padre o madre generalmente debe ser el titular de una tarjeta verde y debe haber vivido legalmente en los Estados Unidos durante al menos 5 años. El niño también debe estar clasificado como un inmigrante «derivado» que es alguien que depende de su padre o madre para obtener ciudadanía. Por último, el padre debe presentar una solicitud de petición de familia para el niño. Esta solicitud se debe presentar al Servicio de Ciudadanía y Migración de los Estados Unidos para que el niño pueda obtener la ciudadanía. El proceso de obtención de una tarjeta verde para los niños puede ser complicado, por lo que se recomienda que los padres consulten a un profesional en inmigración para obtener ayuda.

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