S 2923 — PAAF Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html September 19, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands eligibility for automatic U.S. citizenship to certain internationally adopted individuals.

• 8 U.S.C. 1431(b)

  Subsection (a) shall apply to a child adopted by a United States citizen parent if the child satisfies the requirements applicable to adopted children under section 1101(b)(1) of this title. → (b) Adopted Children of Citizen Parent.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (a) shall apply to a child adopted by a United States citizen parent if the child satisfies the requirements applicable to adopted children under subparagraph (E), (F), or (G) of section 101(b)(1), regardless of the date on which the adoption was finalized.

  The eligibility criteria for adopted children to acquire citizenship are broadened to include specific adopted individuals based on different criteria.

• 8 U.S.C. 1431(b)

  (2) Limited application to certain adopted individuals residing in the United States.--Notwithstanding section 318, an individual born outside of the United States who was adopted by a United States citizen parent shall automatically become a citizen of the United States when all of the following conditions have been fulfilled: (A) The individual was adopted by a United States citizen before the individual reached 18 years of age. (B) The individual was physically present in the United States in the legal custody of the citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission before the individual reached 18 years of age. (C) The individual never acquired United States citizenship before the date of the enactment of the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act. (D) The individual was residing in the United States on the date of the enactment of the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act pursuant to a lawful admission.

  New provisions are added for the automatic citizenship of specific adopted individuals under certain conditions.

• 8 U.S.C. 1431(b)

  (3) Limited application to certain adopted individuals residing outside of the United States.-- (A) In general.--Any individual who meets all of the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2), but does not meet the requirement described in subparagraph (D) of such paragraph, shall automatically become a citizen of the United States on the date on which the individual is physically present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission.

  Individuals who are adopted but reside outside the U.S. are granted a pathway to citizenship when they enter the U.S.

• 8 U.S.C. 1431(b)

  (B) Inapplicability of grounds of inadmissibility.--The grounds of inadmissibility set forth in section 212(a) shall not apply to any individual described in subparagraph (A) who is seeking admission to the United States.

  Certain inadmissibility grounds no longer apply to new citizenship applicants under this amendment.

• 8 U.S.C. 1431(b)

  (C) Criminal background check.--Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), an individual described in subparagraph (A) may not be issued a visa unless-- (i) the individual was subjected to a criminal background check; and (ii) if the background check conducted pursuant to clause (i) reveals that the individual has committed a crime that was not properly resolved, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State coordinated with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken to resolve such criminal activity.

  A requirement for a criminal background check is established for certain visa applicants.

Action History

1. September 19, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. September 19, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Mazie K. Hirono · Primary
• Susan M. Collins · Cosponsor
• Roger F. Wicker · Cosponsor
• Amy Klobuchar · Cosponsor
• Todd Young · Cosponsor
• Elizabeth Warren · Cosponsor

Subjects