jpac876

Upon reading further into what the USCIS views as EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. I would have to agree with Kastrs on this. here is what I found:
© Exceptional Circumstances.
The following are some examples of exceptional circumstances when USCIS will likely authorize DOS to accept and process an I-130 petition:
(1) Military emergencies: A U.S. service member overseas becomes aware of a new deployment or transfer with very little notice. This should be an exception to the regular relocation process for most service members.
(2) Medical emergencies: A petitioner or beneficiary is facing an urgent medical emergency that requires immediate travel. This includes the situation where a petitioner or beneficiary is pregnant and delaying travel may create a medical risk or extreme hardship for the mother or child.
(3) Threats to personal safety: A petitioner or beneficiary is facing an imminent threat to personal safety.
(4) Cases close to aging out: A beneficiary is within a few months of aging out of eligibility.
(5) Cases where the petitioner has recently naturalized: The petitioner and family have traveled for the immigrant visa interview, but the petitioner has naturalized and the family member(s) require a new, stand-alone petition.
(6) Cases involving the adoption of a child: A petitioner who has adopted a child locally and has an imminent need to depart the country. This exception should only be considered if the child has been in the petitioner's legal and physical custody for at least two years and the petitioner has a full and final adoption decree on behalf of the child.

He became a US citizen when his mother did and he is well under the age of 18 so no worries there. I think the immigration officer told you correct info. Apply for his US passport with his mother's certificate as proof of her US citzienship. I imagine you could apply for both at the same time.