PAAF Act
Rep. Smith and Rep. Bacon Introduce Bipartisan PAAF Act to Grant Citizenship to International Adoptees
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review. It is actively moving forward as it awaits further study by committee members. There are no upcoming votes or hearings scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
The bill has strong bipartisan support from both parties, which helps its chances. However, any bill related to immigration or citizenship can face delays in a divided Congress.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Adoptees living abroad who have unresolved criminal issues may face delays or complications in obtaining their citizenship. While the bill waives most grounds of inadmissibility, it requires a criminal background check for those returning from overseas, and unresolved crimes must be addressed before a visa is issued. This could block some adoptees from benefiting immediately.
“if the background check conducted pursuant to clause (i) reveals that the individual has committed a crime that was not properly resolved, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State coordinated with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken to resolve such criminal activity”
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
The American adoptees who fear deportation to a country they can't remember
The article highlights the plight of thousands of international adoptees who lack U.S. citizenship due to a legal loophole. It specifically discusses the Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act, introduced in 2025, which seeks to grant automatic citizenship to those left behind.
A fighter in their corner: One Minnesota attorney represents and unites adoptees for human rights and citizenship
This feature covers the work of attorney Gregory Luce and the ongoing legislative battle for the PAAF Act. It explains how the bill, formerly known as the Adoptee Citizenship Act, would provide automatic citizenship to all intercountry adoptees, including those previously deported.
She grew up believing she was a U.S. citizen. Then she applied for a passport.
NPR profiles an adoptee who discovered she was not a citizen despite being raised in the U.S. The story provides critical context for the 2025 legislative push, explaining how the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 failed to protect those who were already adults at the time of its enactment.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
PAAF Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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