News from . . .

U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren

16th Congressional District, California      

 For Immediate Release: October 30, 2007                                                                                                   CONTACT: Pedro Ribeiro

                                                                                                                                                                        202-225-3072, pedro.ribeiro@mail.house.gov

Rep. Lofgren Introduces Bill to Recognize Children Born to American Servicemen

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) introduced the Amerasian Paternity Recognition Act, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for equal treatment of Amerasian children.

Unlike other foreign-born offspring of American fathers, Amerasians (children born to American fathers during the Vietnam and Korean Wars) are required to apply for naturalization and fulfill all the requirements of naturalization like immigrants who do not have U.S. citizen parents.  This lengthy process is not ordinarily required of the sons and daughters of American citizens who gain U.S. citizenship based on the American citizenship of their parent.  Many Amerasians never become U.S. citizens because of these requirements.

“This legislation is about fairness and equality,” noted Rep. Lofgren. “Amerasians should not be treated differently than other sons and daughters born to U.S. citizen fathers. The time has come for Congress to right this historical injustice and recognize the children of American servicemen as American citizens.  Amerasians deserve equal treatment under the law.”

The Amerasian Paternity Recognition Act would recognize the U.S. citizenship of Amerasians who legally entered the U.S. , or do so in the future, through the Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1988 or Section 204(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.  For those who have already entered the U.S. , their citizenship would be recognized upon the effective date of the Amerasian Paternity Recognition Act without having to undergo any additional processes. 

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County .  She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee.  Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California .