FOR LAWYERS

Special Naturalization Provisions

By
James Parker
/
August 7, 2022

What Are Special Naturalization Provisions?

Special naturalization provisions are conditions that allow some classes of aliens to become U.S. citizens even if they don’t meet the general naturalization provisions. These special classes of immigrants can enable individuals who are in need but generally unqualified to gain citizenship and safety in the United States.

Several special classes of immigrants can qualify for special naturalization provisions, including spouses of U.S. citizens, surviving spouses of U.S. citizens in the military, and children of U.S. citizens. The common throughline of these classes is that something prevents them from becoming naturalized citizens through more traditional routes. For example, special naturalization provisions for surviving spouses of citizens in the armed forces allow them to become citizens despite no longer having a living spouse who was a U.S. citizen. Likewise, special naturalization provisions for children can enable them to become citizens despite being too young to take or understand the oath of citizenship.

There are also classes devoted to any person who may qualify for special consideration of former U.S. citizens. These classes include service members, seamen, or employees of organizations that are promoting U.S. interests abroad. 

Key Takeaways

  • Special naturalization provisions are legal allowances that enable individuals who would not otherwise pass general naturalization provisions to qualify for citizenship.
  • Special naturalization provisions may allow for citizenship to be extended to individuals who are too young to take the oath of allegiance or those who were former citizens.
  • Special naturalization provisions only exempt specific requirements of the general naturalization provisions and do not grant a complete admission of citizenship to those who qualify.
  • If you are seeking a pathway to citizenship through a special naturalization provision, an experienced Immigration Law attorney may be able to offer advice and advocacy to improve the outcome of your case by utilizing experience and expert knowledge.

Special Naturalization Provisions and Immigration Law

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, special naturalization provisions are not an alternative to the general naturalization provisions but rather provide specific exemptions. One example of how these exemptions are handled is the special naturalization provisions extended to children.

According to the U.S. Center for Immigration Services (USCIS), there are two special naturalization provisions in Chapter 6 of the USCIS policy manual for citizenship and naturalization chapter dedicated to children: Section A provisions for children subjected to battery or extreme cruelty and Section B provisions for a surviving child of a member of the U.S. armed forces.

The Section A provision is for children subjected to “battery or extreme cruelty.” This category retains its right to grant citizenship because a person with a family relationship to a U.S. citizen may obtain lawful permanent resident status. The special naturalization provision exceptions are the requirement that the child lives with their citizen parent for at least three years, the need for the citizen parent to petition for them or be present, and the requirement that the child takes and understands the oath of allegiance.

To qualify for a special naturalization provision under Section A, a child must be eligible for naturalization under the spousal naturalization provisions and must have been abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent. If a child qualifies for Section A provisions, their deportation may be suspended or canceled, and they may be able to become naturalized citizens.

Section B special naturalization provisions allow a child of a armed forces member to inherit the ability to become a naturalized citizen. This exempts the child from the continuous residence, physical presence, and three-month physical presence within the state or jurisdiction naturalization requirements and allows them to pursue citizenship.

To qualify for Section B special provisions, the child must have a parent of a U.S. citizen service member who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces on active duty. This means that a child is eligible if their parent was granted posthumous citizenship, and the child is ineligible if their parent was dishonorably discharged. These provisions also require that the child is over 18 at the time of filing and the child is a legitimately adopted or biological child of a U.S. citizen. This means that a step-child is not eligible for Section B special naturalization.

Bottom Line

If you are an immigrant looking to take advantage of paths to citizenship and satisfy your special naturalization provisions, you will need the help of an experienced Immigration Law attorney. An Immigration Law attorney will be able to advise you and advocate on your behalf in order to get you the best possible outcome for your case.

Using their legal expertise, trial tactics, and expert witnesses, your Immigration Law attorney can explore your alternative options to deportation as well as present your case in the most compelling light possible and deftly navigate the complex processes of immigration bureaucracy as well as the obscure functions of immigration court.

Featured Immigration Law Lawyers

AMA Law Group PLLC

Google rating
4.7
13 years in practice
Criminal Defense, Divorce & Family Law, Immigration Law, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability
View Profile

LTI Law, APC

Google rating
5
10 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Deportation Defense, Immigration Law, Personal Injury
View Profile

Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence LLC.

Google rating
4.9
16 years in practice
Criminal Defense, Immigration Law, Personal Injury
View Profile

Orange County Personal Injury Attorney

Google rating
5
22 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death
View Profile

Ibrahim Law Firm

Google rating
4.8
11 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury
View Profile

JSM Injury Firm APC

Google rating
5
4 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death
View Profile

Related Posts

Transit Alien
James ParkerAugust 18, 2022
Certificate of Citizenship
James ParkerJuly 25, 2022
Conditional Resident
James ParkerJuly 25, 2022
Apprehension
James ParkerJuly 25, 2022
Attorney At Law is changing how clients connect with lawyers. By providing an innovative platform to lawyers who want to expand their practice’s reach, AAL is bringing law practices into the future.
6142 Innovation Way
Carlsbad, California 92009
Some of the content of this website may be considered attorney advertising under the rules of certain jurisdictions. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
crossmenuchevron-upchevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram