[Meenuh]

Didn't really know where to put this but I just had a question... or more like a situation i've wondered about for years and years..

Basically, my father served in the US army. My sister and I were born in Germany because my father was stationed there. We weren't born on the military base because it was too far so we were born in a German hospital. So, we weren't given citizenship and instead we have green cards.

Does anyone have any extensive knowledge when it comes to this kind of stuff? I mean, I know I can pay money and take the test to get citizenship but i've felt so cheated all my life. I had to pay money to get my green card renewed and take time out of my life to go sit in that office when I feel like we should have been given citizenship from the get go.

I guess I don't really know how to word my questions since I don't really have much knowledge when it comes to things like green cards, citizenship, and the military.. So if anyone has any advice or information that would be most helpful. Or maybe an explanation as to why we didn't deserve citizenship...

[derrek]

I always thought you looked German.

[xWindwalkerx]

US Policy, from my perspective at least, has seemed to be jusi soil, right by soil/land. Thus, if you weren't born on what is considered to be "US" land you were not considered a citizenship, despite the citizenship of your parents. To add on, the US land was depended on jurisdiction of US law in properities of United Stated. For example, Gitmo was US Land, however, not all US Law provided by the constitution were applicable in that. I'm sure there was a Supreme Court in regards to that.

While, in contrast, jusi sanguis, right by blood, is used in other countries. In particular, since we are on a Korean music loving board >>, Korea has jusi sanguis policy for their citizenship. In that, if you are Korean by birth/family you were considered a member and citizen of Korea. In that, if you were able to prove your Korean descent, let say two or generation from the one person who held the Korean citizenship, then, you were able to apply and receive Korean citizenship.

However, in your case, look at the child citizen ship act of 2000(???). If you were beyond or behind a certain date you were denied or able to receive US citizenship without going through the entirety of the citizenship process. Otherwises, GG, nice try.

[Meenuh]

Eh whatever. Such bs. An illegal immigrant can have a kid in the US and they'll be citizens right away but when someone in the US army has a kid overseas because they're stationed there, they decide that their kids aren't eligible for citizenship. Really retarded IMO.

Ugh seriously just thinking about the mini cooper I had to go through to get my lisence and my green card renewed. I go to get my lisence they tell me I need an updated picture for my green card. I go to update my green card they tell me I need a california ID. I go to get my ID once again, my green card. I don't even remember how the hell I got through that loop to renew my green card.

I always thought you looked German.

ROFL. I know, right?

[xWindwalkerx]

That's why they passed the Child Citizenship Act. So, GG.

(And your profile picture is Kid from Crono Cross right?)

[Meenuh]

That's why they passed the Child Citizenship Act. So, GG.

(And your profile picture is Kid from Crono Cross right?)

Well I was born in 1987 so i'm sure the rules were different then. Lol... I came to the US when I was young as well.

Yes it is her~

[xWindwalkerx]

(I love Crono Cross Music , I could never get summons to work ) .

Google it, this from the website after I googled it.

7) Is automatic citizenship provided for those who are 18 years of age or older?

No. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older on February 27, 2001, do not qualify for citizenship under the CCA, even if they meet all other criteria. If they wish to become U.S. citizens, they must apply for naturalization and meet eligibility requirements that currently exist for adult lawful permanent residents.

Meaning if you were under 18 years on that above date, you are able to get citizenship!! Which, I assume. So Congrads?

[Meenuh]

(I love Crono Cross Music , I could never get summons to work ) .

Google it, this from the website after I googled it.

7) Is automatic citizenship provided for those who are 18 years of age or older?

No. Individuals who are 18 years of age or older on February 27, 2001, do not qualify for citizenship under the CCA, even if they meet all other criteria. If they wish to become U.S. citizens, they must apply for naturalization and meet eligibility requirements that currently exist for adult lawful permanent residents.

Meaning if you were under 18 years on that above date, you are able to get citizenship!! Which, I assume. So Congrads?

So that would mean that I would be able to get citizenship without taking tests and what not? Sorry i'm a bit slow when it comes to stuff like this. I'm 22 now.. LOL. Dunno if that makes a difference... but yes. I was certainly not 18 on Feb 27, 2001. I was like what? 14? Anywaysss you're awesome <3 haha i'll google a bit more so I don't have to keep bugging you.

and yesss chrono cross was awesome.

[xWindwalkerx]

I already looked at it, long before this so, I'll give you what I competely remember. It may or may not be false. All you have to do is submit, in truly a bureaucratic style, documents that prove you qualify for the mentioned qualification. In that, you have to get documents of your parents citizenship, what where and when, they were doing with their citizenship. I should do it, but, my father is such a lazy bum (le sigh.).

Anyways, yup, research ftw .

[Meenuh]

I already looked at it, long before this so, I'll give you what I competely remember. It may or may not be false. All you have to do is submit, in truly a bureaucratic style, documents that prove you qualify for the mentioned qualification. In that, you have to get documents of your parents citizenship, what where and when, they were doing with their citizenship. I should do it, but, my father is such a lazy bum (le sigh.).

Anyways, yup, research ftw .

Oh man haha. I wonder if this is worth the trouble. Are you going through something similar? I wish my parents would have done something like this for me as well but like yours, my parents tend to be on the lazy side. Maybe it could have saved us the trouble of paying all that money to renew our green cards.

[xWindwalkerx]

Not right now, Its to difficult pestering my parents with the fact thats my parents are busy with there lives and business. But, just take a look, its much easier on you, I would say. But, otherwise, good luck getting your parents documents, just make sure you look at the eligibility/requirement list, its quite....annoying.

[colloquy]

About your original question - no, in order for you to be considered a U.S. citizen, you would have to be born on a U.S. Military base in Germany.

Anyway, I can ask around for the details, but I think it's high time for your father to sponsor you and your sister's citizenships. You'll be able to get your citizenship in a relatively short period if your parents do that.

[Phaze5ive]

It sucks, but based on the law you're not entitled to citizenship. I don't see why they don't amend the law in this case though. It makes no sense why a child, regardless of where s/he is born, with two parents who hold American passports isn't automatically an American citizen at birth (with stipulations on maintaining citizenship of course).

[little mixed girl]

i think some of you are getting your info wrong.
a kid born overseas to an american citizen, regardless of where they are born, is an american citizen.
HOWEVER, the parent has to register the kid at the nearest US embassy for the kid to be recognized as a US citizen and given a SS#, etc.

i think that if your dad was a US citizen (or mom) you should have had US citizenship.
even if he wasn't a citizen, i feel that him serving in the military would give him automatic (??) citizenship.
i think that his co-workers or people he knew just didn't give him the correct info on kids born overseas.

http://travel.state.gov/law/info/info_609.html

again, you DON'T have to be born on a military base overseas to be givin US citizenship IF one of your parents is an american.

[erure]

Why don't you just apply for citizenship? It does require some money, but at least you would't have to worry about renewing green cards and stuff like that anymore... I recently got my citizenship and it was actually quite easy >_< I guess what I mean is, I agree with you that it seems very unfair, but maybe just applying for citizenship will be less of a hassle than going around trying to prove them that they're wrong and you should be a citizen already ^^;

[id7]

You are no longer eligible for CCA because you are no longer under the age of 18-- you're not a child anymore. The act requires that you are a "child" and also fit all the other remaining criterias.

This act simply stated that if you are under the age of 18, your a LPR living in the United States, physically with your parent, you could get citizenship.

I'm not sure if there are any quick, non-costly methods.

You could definitly opt for the default method of getting a citizenship through your father (but this is costly).

Either way, you'll have to consult a lawyer and most likely process forms through them.

PS- Why don't you have a permanent LPR status?

[Meenuh]

Yeah I really don't know much about this stuff but it looks like i'll have to end up taking the test someday when I have time. Haha.

I do have a ss# and a green card. I don't remember what my new green card says but my old one (the one with my baby picture) said that I was a permanent resident (i think?). The other weird thing was that it said that there was no expiration date...

I'm not sure if my father was an american citizen at the time even though he was in the US army.. I dunno it gets confusing. My mom was definetly not a citizen. She had a green card as well and recently obtained citizenship. My father has had it for awhile now but I dunno.. it just bugs me that he was in the US army. They could have atleast let his kids have citizenship for that. Gr. Lucky my brother was born in the US since my father was still stationed there.

even if he wasn't a citizen, i feel that him serving in the military would give him automatic (??) citizenship.

Exactly what I was thinking. He has even been to war to fight for this country and was honorably discharged.