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Activity Number:
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9
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Type:
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Topic Contributed
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Date/Time:
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Sunday, August 8, 2004 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
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Sponsor:
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Section on Survey Research Methods
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| Abstract - #300537 |
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Title:
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Child Immigrants as Citizens
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Author(s):
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Karen A. Woodrow-Lafield*+
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Companies:
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University of Notre Dame
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Address:
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Institute for Latino Studies, Notre Dame, IN, 46556-0764,
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Keywords:
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immigrants ; citizens ; children ; derivative ; administrative ; parents
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Abstract:
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This study investigates naturalization among child immigrants. Parents' actions in naturalizing simultaneously convey U.S. citizenship to minor children, and parents need only request certificates of citizenship. U.S.-born parents may similarly convey citizenship to adopted children. Adult sons and daughters of naturalized parents may later request a U.S. passport on the basis of derivative citizenship status through the Department of State. Individuals who immigrated as children may naturalize independently as adults. Less than 5% of foreign-born children are naturalized and probably derived that status at parental naturalization. The older a child at immigration, likelihood of derivative status is lesser simply because older children would be more likely to age out of eligibility as parents met residency requirements to naturalize. Children aged 0 to 10 years at immigration would be more likely to derive citizenship. This analysis draws on linked records for immigrants (1978-1991) and naturalizations (1978-1996). Despite limitations, preliminary analyses illustrate this approach adds to understanding of naturalization outcomes for child immigrants.
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