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[cleirach70]

I was born in Mexico, and was illegally smuggled to the United States when I was about 6 months old. I don't know many details, but it is my understanding that the person that was taking care of me got into some trouble and I was placed into foster care at around 7-8 months old. I was then adopted by 2 US citizens. They made me a Permanent resident when I was about 12 years old. I am currently a Green Card holder. My question stems from some confusion about Immigration law. I was 21 at the time the 2000 Child Immigration Act was passed, and did not qualify for it's automatic granting of citizenship. I have talked to several lawyers, and they give me several different answers. Is there any chance that I may already be a citizen because of my unusual circumstances? The courts issued a birth certificate with my adopted parents as my biological parents. I was given a new name, etc. I am just confused on whether or not I might have derived citizenship or not. My parents also took me to Mexico once, and we all re entered together, and this was when I was not even a Permanent resident yet. My Parents just wanted children, and they didn't know much about Immigration law. They assumed that if they were legally adopting a child in the US, that that child would automatically become a citizen somehow. Needless to say that that is not correct. At least it wasn't at the time when I was under 18. Now days, an adopted child adopted by US citizen parents becomes a citizen automatically. Anyways, my question, again, is whether or not I might already be a citizen. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

[larenzo]

Sounds to me like you are a legal resident. Try to apply for citizenship, that will make it clear really quickly if you are or not. I don't imagine they let citizens re-apply.

[melville]

You wouldn't have qualified, even if you had been younger. Neither of your natural parents was a citizen. It doesn't sound like the two "citizens" actually "adopted" you, legally. Since you're a green-card holder, THAT'S your citizenship status - immigrant. You can apply for citizenship in your own right.

Again, if you had been "legally adopted" you would NOT, now, be a holding a Green Card. They may have taken you into their home. A legal adoption process is comlicated enough that it would have gone through the process of checking your birth and then producing paperwork that would have turned you into a citizen, including getting you a Social Security number.

[calin]

Since you have gotten different answers to the question, I think the easiest way to see if you are a citizen is to apply for a US Passport. Most US Post Offices are acceptance agents for the Passport Agency, and have been tasked by Passports to accept all applications that are presented with documentation. (The Agency wants to know about fraudulent applications as well.) If you apply, the Agency will look at your documents, and will ask for additional information if they want it. Let them sort it out for you for far less than the lawyers will. Don't confuse the acceptance clerks with all the information you may have, just give them what is needed for the application. The Passport Agency will contact you in about 6-8 weeks if there is more information needed.
You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate - the one from the Vital Records Department of the county or state in which it was issued
1 photo - they can take it at the Post Office for $15.
Current State or Gov't issued ID
A completed Form DS-11. You can fill it out online or get it from USPS.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html
Cost will be $110 + $25 application fee (to USPS)
The $25 is paid separately to the USPS.
Normal processing is 4-6 weeks.

you can track the status of your application at:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/status/status_2567.html

If you are not issued a passport, then you know that you will have to go through the Naturalization process. Good luck, and Email me if you have any additional Qs

[jolie95]

No, based on what you've written.

[chadburne48]

You are in a gray area of the immigration law, hence the different answers by different lawyers. If you want to guarantee citizenship, speak with an armed forces recruiter. You will be granted citizenship after four years of active duty and attaining an honorable discharge. You would also have the GI Bill, should you wish to further your education.

[matchitisiw]

you really need a better lawyer .. but its probably cheaper just to file a N400

[mohammed47]

You need to apply for a US naturalization certificate