We are foreign parents of a US born child, now what?

[Darnell 8,478]

I'm sorry (for the OP) but

the majority of PRC folk who birth in USA

are really doing it for their retirement plan.

Here's the model:

1. send kid to school in USA for university

2. kid applies for IR-5's when reaching 21 years

and that's it. What yer describing, your plan, prior to child's 21st birthday, is mostly undoable, as usually the parents have no valid reason for coming to the USA when the child is under 21.

You MIGHT be a special case, if'n one of 'your companies' can arrange an inter-company transfer, but that's really tenuous, at best, and not cost effective for the company, at worst.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Birth tourism is as valid as any other. People who want to come here to enrich their lives as well as the community they will be in here in the US are always welcome.

Why would anyone ever be negative about someone who does everything by-the-book? It is refreshing to see someone who wants a bright future for his/her family and is not intent on getting that by sponging off everyone else, for a change. (I live in Houston where the majority of the translating here is done by young kids for their parents. Sigh.)

Good luck with your family.

Well, it goes against the intent of the law, which was to ensure that freed slaves had a right to citizenship, but that's beside the point.

The US is only one of three countries in the world that will automatically grant citizenship to any child born within it's borders, regardless of the citizenship status of the parents. Is it legal for someone to visit the US with the express intent of having their child born here so that their child can acquire US citizenship by birth? Yes. Is it morally or ethically right? I don't think so, but that's just my opinion. There are politicians campaigning for office now who have made it part of their platform to undo this, and bring the US citizenship laws in line with the rest of the world. A child should only acquire citizenship by birth if one of it's parents was a citizen at the time of birth. The only exceptions other countries make is if the child would otherwise be stateless; i.e., not have a claim to citizenship in any other country. This is in accordance with the UN resolutions on stateless people, and the US should do the same.

[EminTX 131]

I am actually against birthright citizenship and fully agree that its usefulness has passed, but while this is a legal option, I don't have any issues with anyone who is trying to be responsible in gaining US citizenship for their child.

It IS nice to see someone who is trying to do something completely within the law and I am believe that being able to contribute to our society and economy is a good thing. Retiring here is not a bad thing, either, if that is their plan. Since the parents are employed and are contemplating options of working here in the US, that is even better.

Living in a sanctuary city and working for a major provider of health care means that I am face-to-face with those who are completely flaunting their illegal status on a daily basis (and are quite proud to proclaim it openly). Going through this visa and immigration process makes me less tolerant and compassionate about those who blatantly disregard the laws of this great country. I am delighted to see an example of someone who is trying to be responsible and honest.

[Confused 2 94]

Birth tourism is as valid as any other. People who want to come here to enrich their lives as well as the community they will be in here in the US are always welcome.

Why would anyone ever be negative about someone who does everything by-the-book? It is refreshing to see someone who wants a bright future for his/her family and is not intent on getting that by sponging off everyone else, for a change. (I live in Houston where the majority of the translating here is done by young kids for their parents. Sigh.)

Good luck with your family.

I know someone who did everything 'by the book' + Hid her pregnancy, lied about her purpose of visit. Had a baby here and you and I paid the $22k hospital bill. To rub it in our faces - she gave her child a middle name - Austin' and is back here to poop out another one right now. I am happy to know that you would like to foot another $22k so I can be spared this time.

[Stillnosheep 0]

Hi All,

I'm back, I am really happy to see people's opinions/angles on this,this is the kind of frank exchanges I was aiming for. We knew from the get go that we can't rely on our child to claim citizenship, this piece of info is readily available on the USCIS website ( and one doesn't go to give birth in US without checking the USCIS website).

I personally wanted to see what else is out there, as I would hate myself to miss out on a good opportunity just because I didn't ask.

To sum it, we will be going the work relocation route for both of us as we are lucky to be in a position to do so. We are talking about 3 to 4 years down the road before we even start anything, a lot could change before then. The job market is awesome in Shanghai, and we would like to currently be here for our son to get a solid hold on the Chinese language as well as being part of the biggest transformation of the city ( Financially, politically, socially, culturally etc...)

Thanks all and God bless you.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I am actually against birthright citizenship and fully agree that its usefulness has passed, but while this is a legal option, I don't have any issues with anyone who is trying to be responsible in gaining US citizenship for their child.

It IS nice to see someone who is trying to do something completely within the law and I am believe that being able to contribute to our society and economy is a good thing. Retiring here is not a bad thing, either, if that is their plan. Since the parents are employed and are contemplating options of working here in the US, that is even better.

Living in a sanctuary city and working for a major provider of health care means that I am face-to-face with those who are completely flaunting their illegal status on a daily basis (and are quite proud to proclaim it openly). Going through this visa and immigration process makes me less tolerant and compassionate about those who blatantly disregard the laws of this great country. I am delighted to see an example of someone who is trying to be responsible and honest.

I view it as more of a loophole than an intentional provision in the law that provides a legal path to immigration. I don't get worked up over anyone who does it because it is perfectly legal, just like I don't get overly worked up over 501(c) charities that keep 85% of the money they collect under the guise of "fundraising expenses" because the law allows them to do so. These are both loopholes I would personally like to see closed, however. By the same token, I would advise someone not to come to the US primarily for the purpose of having a child here because I believe it's unethical, just like I advise people not to make donations to charities that use professional fund raising companies.