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PAAF Act

USA119th CongressHR-5492| House 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
Adam Smith

Adam Smith

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (16)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Scott Franklin (Republican)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Don Bacon (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Pete Stauber (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act , aims to provide automatic United States citizenship for certain internationally adopted individuals. It achieves this by amending Section 320(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, ensuring that children adopted by a United States citizen parent automatically acquire citizenship if they meet specific adoption requirements, irrespective of when the adoption was finalized. The Act outlines conditions for automatic citizenship for individuals born outside the United States. These conditions include being adopted by a U.S. citizen parent before reaching 18 years of age, being physically present in the U.S. under lawful admission and the parent's legal custody before age 18, and not having acquired U.S. citizenship prior to the Act's enactment. Furthermore, individuals residing outside the U.S. who meet these criteria will gain citizenship upon lawful admission to the U.S., with inadmissibility grounds waived, provided they undergo a criminal background check to resolve any outstanding issues.
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Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2923
Introduced in Senate
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2923
    Introduced in Senate

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-2923: PAAF Act

PAAF Act

USA119th CongressHR-5492| House 
| Updated: 9/18/2025
This bill, known as the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act , aims to provide automatic United States citizenship for certain internationally adopted individuals. It achieves this by amending Section 320(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, ensuring that children adopted by a United States citizen parent automatically acquire citizenship if they meet specific adoption requirements, irrespective of when the adoption was finalized. The Act outlines conditions for automatic citizenship for individuals born outside the United States. These conditions include being adopted by a U.S. citizen parent before reaching 18 years of age, being physically present in the U.S. under lawful admission and the parent's legal custody before age 18, and not having acquired U.S. citizenship prior to the Act's enactment. Furthermore, individuals residing outside the U.S. who meet these criteria will gain citizenship upon lawful admission to the U.S., with inadmissibility grounds waived, provided they undergo a criminal background check to resolve any outstanding issues.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 18, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 19, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-2923
Introduced in Senate
  • September 18, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 18, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 19, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-2923
    Introduced in Senate
Adam Smith

Adam Smith

Democratic Representative

Washington

Cosponsors (16)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Scott Franklin (Republican)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Don Bacon (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Pete Stauber (Republican)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-2923: PAAF Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted