To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive certain naturalization requirements for United States nationals, and for other purposes.

House Votes

This bill makes it easier for U.S. nationals—people born in places like American Samoa and Swains Island—to become U.S. citizens. It lets them count living in a U.S. territory (an “outlying possession”) toward the residency they need, so they don’t have to move to a state. For those who have lived in a state or a U.S. territory since birth, it waives the English/civics test and the public oath ceremony, and eases some residency rules .

The bill also brings services closer to home. It requires the government to offer applications, interviews, and oath ceremonies in the territories. It lets officials skip an in‑person interview in some cases and lower fees. It says a break of more than 180 days away from a state or territory will interrupt “continuous residence” unless you can show you didn’t move away. A child born abroad to a U.S. citizen can qualify for citizenship by living in a U.S. territory, not only by being legally present in the 50 states .

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. nationals (for example, people born in American Samoa or Swains Island), some military applicants living in the territories, and certain children of U.S. citizens born abroad .
• What changes: Living in a territory can count for naturalization; the English/civics test and public ceremony can be waived for lifelong residents; local processing is offered; interviews may be waived; fees may be reduced; long absences over 180 days can break continuous residence; and some children can qualify by living in a territory .
• When: The provided text does not state an effective date.