The nation’s immigration policies may be stagnating in many ways, but are changing with the times as regards Assisted Reproductive Technology. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Department of State announced an addition to the immigration jargon definition of “parent” on October 28, 2104.
From now on, the term “natural parent,” might include three people, as follows:
- Genetic father
- Genetic mother
- Gestational mother, even if the gestational mother does not have a genetic relationship to the child.
Thus, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen gestational mother may acquire U.S. citizenship at birth through her. This also means a child who is a U.S. citizen may petition for his or her gestational mother after reaching age 21.