The issue of birthright citizenship may be a familiar topic to Pennsylvania voters as political candidates discuss their perspectives on immigration. One of the most extreme solutions is promoted by Donald Trump, who suggests that he would like to end birthright citizenship so that undocumented parents would no longer be motivated to have children in the United States. However, this issue is not a new concern. In fact, the matter was settled by the Supreme Court in 1898.
Establishing U.S. citizenship for Pennsylvania minors
When a child under the age of 18 comes to the United States, he or she may automatically become a United States citizen when both parents become citizens. However, for those who were 18 prior to February 2001, they may become citizens if their only naturalized parent was their mother or their other parent was deceased. In the event that a child's parents got divorced, a child could be automatically naturalized if the parent with legal custody becomes naturalized.
New decisions about H-1B visas and employee moves
Pennsylvania employers may not be required to file a new or amended petition for employees who are on an H-1B visa and who moved to another geographic location if the move occurred prior to April 9, 2015, but the new clarification of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is ambiguous on the topic. More clearly, it states that after August 19, before an employee on an H-1B visa who is moved to a new location can begin working, a new or amended petition must be filed for that employee.
Lawmakers consider changes to EB-5 visa, propose new EB-6 visa
Pennsylvania readers may be interested to learn that federal lawmakers from both parties are proposing immigration reform ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline for the renewal of the EB-5 program for immigrant investors. The EB-5 visa allows immigrants who invest at least $500,000 in a job-creating project in an area with high unemployment to obtain permanent residency. It also allows for the pooling of these investments into "regional centers," which can be used to fund larger projects.
