Trump administration tightens citizenship rules for children born to U.S. military personnel abroad

This is what Trump does to people who serve.

It won't end there.

is this news? Really news? 18 years to decide whether you want to be a US citizen sounds like an easing of the rules to me, because now, as a newborn, you have options....in case you want to run for parliament in New Zealand for instance.

In the case of Japan, being born of non-Japanese parents prevents obtaining Japanese Nationality at birth. This in effect means that a child can be stateless until the parent applies for, and obtains US citizenship for their child. And if that application isn't done, or is declined - that person will be stateless. This is nonsense.

Omachi, if a parent is a US citizen, the rules does not apply. Not stateless.

If a parent is not a US citizen, then obviously will be a citizen of another country, so again not stateless.

This is just a distraction, not news at all.

In the case of Japan, being born of non-Japanese parents prevents obtaining Japanese Nationality at birth. 

So? Japan does not have "birthright" citizenship. This is no news.

And Shimon provided the rest of the answer!

Trump screws the military again. Nice! I love it!

What is the point of this?

Currently, children born to U.S. citizens stationed by their government in a foreign country are legally considered to be"residing in the United States," thus allowing their parents to simply obtain a certificate showing their children acquired citizenship automatically.

To be eligible to run for president of the USA, you have to be born in the US or it's territories. That's why Trump got all obsessed about Obama's birthplace.

Maybe this is about one of his other obsessions - his hatred of John McCain.

Dude! You can't go back in time and take away John McCain's right to run for president based on his birth on an airbase in Panama. And he's already dead, so,...???

I'd love to hear the thoughts of some current and former US service members on this.

is this news? Really news?

Yes and no. It appears that if you were born on a base, join the military, then have a baby on base, your child would not be given American citizenship. After two straight generations of serving the country. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this though.

For those people, it's going to be a big deal.

However, the number of people who will end up not having citizenship as a result of this change will be fairly minimal. For most people, it won't be a big deal.

This is a great way for Trump to show he's cinching up on citizenship, making his base happy. For them it's a big deal.

Seems pretty newsworthy regardless.

"Military members already have enough to deal with, and the last thing that they should have to do when stationed overseas is go through hoops to ensure their children are U.S. citizens," said Andy Blevins, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America.

No big fan of the military but there's a logic in what Blevins says.

Do we really need stressed troops jumping through hoops, whilst in Japan?

Putting a parent's kids in jeopardy - for that is what this policy is doing- won't sit well with any parent.

I can't see military moms and dads being happy with this, can you?

If they are serving in the US military, seems US citizenship would be a requirement, but there are many immigrants or would be immigrants serving in the US military.

Living overseas is still being in the US if your SOFA, thats not like having an ARC or whatever they are calling it these days

2020 can't come soon enough.

If they are serving in the US military, seems US citizenship would be a requirement

??? What article are you commenting on? This article isn't about the requirements of being in the US military.

Living overseas is still being in the US if your SOFA

It sounds like that's been the case, but that Trump and his lackeys are trying to change that:

Currently, children born to U.S. citizens stationed by their government in a foreign country are legally considered to be"residing in the United States," thus allowing their parents to simply obtain a certificate showing their children acquired citizenship automatically.

But in an 11-page "policy alert," the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency said it found the prevailing rules contradictory and at odds with other parts of federal immigration law and State Department procedures.

Children born to a Japanese wife and an American husband...my case being part of the state department allows for both parents to register the birth and added to kosekitohon for the Japanese side and as an American citizen for the American side. Both get passports and birth certificates. At 18 the child should declare which direction they want as far as statehood goes, but American passport does not ask, and the Japanese side winks and says on your way, you got your passport. All my kids hold both and they are past 18.

A day doesn't pass that trump's twisted regime isn't doing something weird and creepy. It's going to be such a pleasure to crush this *** in 2020.

Proof that Trump does not consider naturalized citizens ACTUAL U.S. citizens. And some of these ACTUAL citizens are serving in the armed forces. Trump truly hates people who sacrifice for their country--especially those who weren't born in it, and yet are willing to fight for it. He hates them because they're doing what he never did, and, unlike the rest of us regular folks, is spiteful and jealous about it.

Look, put plainly, this is just Trump trying to stick it to McCain a last time. McCain was born on a base outside the US, and we all know how inferior Trump feels (and is) to McCain.

Imagine serving your country and hearing about your president making things even more complicated for you.

Good! About time.

Good! About time.

Yeah! Why would we honor the very people that protect our country?!

Good! About time.

Is this the correct way to treat those who serve?

Not forgetting those who provide subsidized medicine for American citizens living in Japan?

bass4funk: You realise that if you have kids at your base in Fukuoka, they won't be American, right? In any case you'd never fight for your country beyond a keyboard like the real soldiers are doing, and now have one less reason to. What petty, petty man. All because McCain beat him at everything.

bass4funk: You realise that if you have kids at your base in Fukuoka, they won't be American, right?

There is no US military base in Fukuoka.

In any case you'd never fight for your country beyond a keyboard like the real soldiers are doing, and now have one less reason to. What petty, petty man. All because McCain beat him at everything.

Exactly.

@Chip Star

There is an Air Force airfield in Fukuoka that is staffed by a few military personnel. (FAC 5001 Itazuke Auxiliary Airfield). Also there is a JASDF base that houses US soldiers and military personnel in Fukuoka (FAC 5121 Tsuiki Air Base (JASDF) Air Base).

There is an Air Force airfield in Fukuoka that is staffed by a few military personnel. (FAC 5001 Itazuke Auxiliary Airfield). Also there is a JASDF base that houses US soldiers and military personnel in Fukuoka (FAC 5121 Tsuiki Air Base (JASDF) Air Base).

I stand corrected. Thanks for thevibfo about the single US installation in Fukuoka.

Do you know whether that airfield is large enough to necessitate contractors for AFN?

There is an Air Force airfield in Fukuoka that is staffed by a few military personnel. (FAC 5001 Itazuke Auxiliary Airfield). Also there is a JASDF base that houses US soldiers and military personnel in Fukuoka (FAC 5121 Tsuiki Air Base (JASDF) Air Base).

This information seems fairly out of date: Itazuke is now Fukuoka International Airport (though there is one small area for occasional USAF use) (http://wikimapia.org/1283873/Fukuoka-Airport-FUK-RJFF) and Tsuiki was returned to Japanese control in 1957 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuiki_Air_Field).

This information seems fairly out of date: Itazuke is now Fukuoka International Airport (though there is one small area for occasional USAF use) (http://wikimapia.org/1283873/Fukuoka-Airport-FUK-RJFF) and Tsuiki was returned to Japanese control in 1957 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuiki_Air_Field).

Thanks, Sneezy.

Captain Bonespurs never respected the brave men and women who serve the country, because they remind him of what he can never be, brave and honorable.

So let me get this straight, if you are a US citizen having lived in the US for ler than 5 years and are serving. Your offspring are not automatic US citizens. Trump or whoever made this up is stupid. What if a 2 year naturalized US citizen who is not serving has offspring? The offspring receive automatic citizenship.

What if a 2 year naturalized US citizen who is not serving has offspring? The offspring receive automatic citizenship.

Yes - assuming they are born in the US.

This policy change will affect the offspring of newly naturalised US citizens - those who have not lived in the US for 5 years or more before being stationed overseas.

What's the big deal? So some parents will have to submit some paperwork to have their kids become citizens. Even if they don't, once they're back in the U.S. everyone there, citizen or not, will get free health care provided by the taxpayers, assuming voters have a major brain fart and elect whoever is the Democrat nominee president.

What's the big deal? So some parents will have to submit some paperwork to have their kids become citizens. Even if they don't, once they're back in the U.S. everyone there, citizen or not, will get free health care provided by the taxpayers, assuming voters have a major brain fart and elect whoever is the Democrat nominee president.

Why don't you respect the sacrifices of those that serve?

Trump has broad support in the military community. Not everyone is going to agree with every decision.

Look, put plainly, this is just Trump trying to stick it to McCain a last time. 

Pffft! McCain's the one who stuck it to Trump and all Americans by voting to keep the failed Obamacare after he was against it.

Why don't you respect the sacrifices of those that serve?

I do.

Yeah! Why would we honor the very people that protect our country?!

As usual, liberals don’t get it. This is not a free for all Buffet.

What's the big deal? So some parents will have to submit some paperwork to have their kids become citizens. Even if they don't, once they're back in the U.S. everyone there, citizen or not, will get free health care provided by the taxpayers, assuming voters have a major brain fart and elect whoever is the Democrat nominee president.

Liberals don’t want to do the leg work, It’s called being lazy.

Even if they don't, once they're back in the U.S

If they are not American, they may not be allowed to enter. For instance if the American parent dies (like killed while fighting for his/her country), Immig will say neither the widower nor the children are linked to the US anymore. They'll abandon them like the many kids in Philippines former US bases.

Just one more insult to our military professionals from this, the most anti-military administration ever.

He takes Putin's word over our intel community, takes money away from their retirement to fund his "wall" that Mexico was supposed to pay for, pulls back from exercises worldwide decreasing our readiness, and disrespects heroes like Jim Mattis....

And now this - of course Melania and her parents get their citizenship...

The military hates this moron - and he hates them because they stand for everything he isn't; integrity, honesty, and service before self.....

One of my favorite Trump trolls of the military, him telling troops they are getting a 10% raise:

https://youtu.be/xmMmFQwzE0Q

They learned the next day in the news that he was lying to them.

Trump fans love it!

Not bad, under some circumstances this could be a good thing... consider what happens if the Parents divorce/separate, the Child doesn't automatically have to have an American Citizenship.

Also, as a Child grows older they have the right to decide themselves whether they wish to be an "American" Citizen, and be taxed Globally even if they've never lived in the US, and for what benefit ?

If the US Partner dies in service, then hopefully the right to claim by 18 still exists.

So there are some circumstances that this can be a good thing. But, whats not stated is what happens between Year 0 and Year 18 whilst a decision is made - which passport can they obtain to travel under ?

certain parents serving overseas in the U.S. armed forces or other agencies of the federal government must go through a formal application process seeking U.S. citizenship on their children's behalf by their 18th birthday

It is an application process meaning no guaranty of success.

As pointed before, what about children whose US parent die before the 18th birthday ?

This is like being penalized for serving if you are a naturalized US citizen... Crazy stuff.. Just stay in the US go on welfare and have 15 kids. They will all be US citizens..

The military hates this moron -

Oh my, lincolnman, oh my...

‘We’re no longer the suckers of the world,' Trump tells troops in Iraq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXw1v8cnPVY

There are at least 2 types of babies born to US military parents.

a) known babies

b) unknown babies

The unknown babies from the in-country girlfriends (woman US military don't have unknown babies) who are discovered years later. The US Service man has to claim responsibility for the child, only then will she/he be eligible for US citizenship. Some of the girlfriends might be lying about the father's identity.

For known babies, fill out the form. Be done with it. Do it at the same time that SSN is requested so the military housing allowance is adjusted and for US tax forms as another dependent. This new rule is a slight hassle for these parents.

Speaking as a veteran, who was stationed overseas for a couple years and had a child while I was serving, this seems like it's being blown a little bit out of proportion. It doesn't sound like that big a deal to go through the application process. Just one more bit of paperwork to fill out before heading back stateside.

But I also don't understand the point of changing these regulations in the first place. Seems pretty stupid.

Speaking as a veteran, who was stationed overseas for a couple years and had a child while I was serving, this seems like it's being blown a little bit out of proportion. It doesn't sound like that big a deal to go through the application process. Just one more bit of paperwork to fill out before heading back stateside. 

But I also don't understand the point of changing these regulations in the first place. Seems pretty stupid.

I agree. Definitely the rollout wasn’t the best, confusing a lot of disinformation, PR needs to better clarify.

I agree. Definitely the rollout wasn’t the best, confusing a lot of disinformation, PR needs to better clarify.

Now you agree that changing this regulation was stupid? Congratulations! It took you nine hours to contradict yourself instead of the usual five minutes.

The military hates this moron -

Oh my, lincolnman, oh my...

‘We’re no longer the suckers of the world,' Trump tells troops in Iraq

And when he said that the troops just laughed - as the biggest sucker in the world was the one doing the boasting....

Troops can spot a fraud a mile away....

Look at 4-star, war veteran Jim Mattis - that's someone they respect...

They know Trump is a clown - and a draft-dodging coward...

Now you agree that changing this regulation was stupid?

No, I agree that “how” it was rolled out was bad.

Please read what I said.

They know Trump is a clown - and a draft-dodging coward.

But he’s the President, the most powerful man and they’re just expendable soldiers with a political opinion. Lol

@bas4fthey’re just expendable soldiers 

Typical belief of chickenhawks.

they’re just expendable soldiers

No soldier is "just expendable." This is how Trumpophiles view our service members. Repugnant.

Typical belief of chickenhawks.

Most liberals are.

I have to say, that must be one of the most disrespectful comments you have never made on JT.

Nothing disrespectful.

Calling people who willing serve your country, unlike yourself, "expendable soldiers" is an utter disgrace from someone who has claimed to respect the military and wants a strong and powerful one.

I’ll throw it right back at you for the disrespect of the President.

And you are even laughing out loud (LOL)

They are in fact, not soldiers, but troopers since soldiers would be the army only.

Still a soldier and I find their opinions hilariously stupid.

Someone who had served their country would never make that comment about the people protecting you.

That’s not true. Doesn’t matter whether you served or not, the military is not a monolithic group thought organization.

Long after Trump is dusted and done these service people will still be there serving and protecting their country.

Yes, but it has nothing to do with their opinionated statements or the Presidents.

You can never change the fact that you chose not to serve our country.

But I was there for my company alongside the military to inform the public, I wasn’t in uniform, but still put my life on the line to get the facts out for my country.

Foul.

Comments from these men about the President is foul as well.

@bas4f I’ll throw it right back at you for the disrespect of the President.

As someone who did quite a bit of boxing I know counterpunching's a good tactic. But not when the counterpuncher continually swings and misses, exposing himself to even more punches, and continually gets pummeled. Then he shows he's a masochist. Or has OCD and can't find another outlet.

They know Trump is a clown - and a draft-dodging coward.

But he’s the President, the most powerful man and they’re just expendable soldiers with a political opinion. Lol

Let me help with your wording; what you are saying is: "Yes, they know he is a clown and a draft-dodging coward, but he’s the President, the most powerful man and they’re just expendable soldiers with a political opinion. Lol

So first thanks for agreeing with me...

And your insult to our military professionals, who sacrifice so much to help keep us safe, by calling them "expendable" is just unforgivable. But it perfectly substantiates what I've been saying all along - Trump and his supporters hate our military, for it's high standards and the respect it has from the public - two things Trump will never have... So once again, thanks for confirming that for everyone.

You owe an apology to everyone wearing or has worn our nations uniform...

But I was there for my company alongside the military to inform the public, I wasn’t in uniform, but still put my life on the line to get the facts out for my country.

Please don't denigrate our service members by trying to ride on their coat tails.

Comments from these men about the President is foul as well.

Then criticize the comments, not the people.

‘We’re no longer the suckers of the world,' Trump tells troops in Iraq

And when he said that the troops just laughed - as the biggest sucker in the world was the one doing the boasting....

Poor lincolnman simply can't bring himself to believe his ears when the troops cheer Trump.

‘We’re no longer the suckers of the world,' Trump tells troops in Iraq

And when he said that the troops just laughed - as the biggest sucker in the world was the one doing the boasting....

Poor lincolnman simply can't bring himself to believe his ears when the troops cheer Trump.

They're cheering the President - the office - not the person - they think he's an Orange Clown - a coward who shirked his duty when he had a chance to wear the uniform.

@serrano Poor lincolnman simply can't bring himself to believe his ears when the troops cheer Trump.

I watched one video where troops did cheer Trump when he told them he had got them a raise in pay. Which was a lie. Trump is increasing the US military budget, which must please many serving, as well as many contractors, as well as many big defense industries. He's increasing the national debt to do so.

Many young people serving today will have to pay for Trump's continuation of military madness.

Let me help with your wording; what you are saying is: "Yes, they know he is a clown and a draft-dodging coward, but he’s the President, the most powerful man and they’re just expendable soldiers with a political opinion. Lol

Well you don’t speak for the generals and you would not know what they say or what they’re thinking, they have to write to think whatever they want to think as well as president.

So first thanks for agreeing with me...

I think we definitely both can agree on that each has the right to think as they wish

And your insult to our military professionals, who sacrifice so much to help keep us safe, by calling them "expendable" is just unforgivable.

No one is going to expendable I come from a military family and I have family in law-enforcement and have deep respect for them and I do feel bad, but at the same time respect goes both ways.

But it perfectly substantiates what I've been saying all along - Trump and his supporters hate our military,

Ahhh, sorry to break it to you, but that just doesn’t sit well at all, none of the other networks and none of the other administrations with the exception of the Bush administration have the deepest respect for the military in the know that.

for it's high standards and the respect it has from the public - two things Trump will never have... So once again, thanks for confirming that for everyone.

I think that’s a matter of deep opinion.

Ahhh, sorry to break it to you, but that just doesn’t sit well at all, none of the other networks and none of the other administrations with the exception of the Bush administration have the deepest respect for the military in the know that.

The evidence says the opposite. This policy and Trump's policy on trans people in the army, for instance.

The evidence says the opposite.

Not according to the moral now and the lost one they used to have.

This policy and Trump's policy on trans people in the army, for instance.

Why are liberals lazy? McCain was born in Panama, Valarie Jarrett was born in Iran and both are American citizens, so your argument is wrong and admittedly the White House did a bad job on the PR side, but the rules would be the same if you’re born and brought to American parents, of course for Americans you’ll be granted American citizenship and if you have an adopted child of a different country then you just have to file the paperwork, it’s not that hard. I think it’s a very good policy and that’s how it should be.

Yawn. Zero credibility. SMH

Liberals on this is, you’re right.

They’re not, if they are Americans they will be given citizenship, and if they have adopted a foreign national and bring them to the states then they have to apply for citizenship, no one is being robbed of anything. Why liberals don’t understand this?

Dunno, one could ask the equally ridiculous question as to why do nazis keep calling everyone else liberals?

On the southern border it would be a wall and if Democrats and liberals allow us to continually build up the military will have better and more modern and up-to-date hardware that will aid in helping to protect the country.

And precisely how does preventing serving parents citizenship for their kids affect the southern border?