I am pleased that we are moving this important bill introduced by Senator Nickles. This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow for a more expeditious procedure for naturalizing children brought to this country by U.S. citizen adoptive parents. Specifically, these children would be naturalized by operation of law, rather than having to go through a further immigration proceeding in order to obtain a certificate of citizenship. Further, the naturalization would relate back to the adoptive child’s birth, so that this child would have the same rights as the child of an American citizen born abroad.

I believe that we have all heard from our constituents and others about the difficulties and red tape inherent in trying to adopt children overseas. I firmly believe it is up to us to try and make this process and easy and painless as it can be, not more difficult. I commend Senator Nickles for his efforts and hope that we can move this bill through the Committee and the Senate quickly.

It is clearly a significant pro-family measure.