Bill · S. 2923· Senate(119-S-2923)
PAAF Act
- Introduced
- 9/19/2025
- Last activity
- 9/19/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Mazie Hirono
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protect Adoptees and American Families Act" (PAAF Act) allows certain internationally adopted individuals to automatically acquire United States citizenship. It applies to individuals adopted by a United States citizen parent before the age of 18. To qualify, individuals must have been in the legal custody of the parent via lawful admission before age 18 and must not have previously acquired citizenship. The bill provides pathways for both those currently residing in the United States and those living outside the country.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would immigrants be better off under this?+10
Significantly benefits a specific class of immigrants through automatic citizenship.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?+10
Creates a clear, automatic pathway to citizenship for eligible internationally adopted individuals.
Would children be better off under this?+8
Provides a path to citizenship for children adopted by U.S. citizens.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Automatic Citizenship for Residents: Individuals born outside the U.S. who were adopted by a citizen parent before 18 and are currently residing in the U.S. via lawful admission can automatically become citizens (Section 2(2)).
-
Pathway for Non-Residents: Individuals who meet the adoption and age requirements but live outside the U.S. can automatically become citizens once they are physically present in the U.S. via lawful admission (Section 2(3)(A)).
-
Removal of Inadmissibility Barriers: For those seeking admission to the U.S. under this act, the grounds of inadmissibility found in section 212(a) will not apply (Section 2(3)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Criminal Background Check Requirement: Individuals residing outside the U.S. seeking a visa under this act must undergo a criminal background check (Section 2(3)(C)(i)).
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Visa Denial Based on Criminal History: A visa may not be issued if a background check reveals a crime that was not properly resolved, pending coordination between the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, and law enforcement (Section 2(3)(C)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+10Good For Children+8Good For Middle Aged+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Young Adults+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship+10Improves Voting Access+5Improves Voting Rights+5
- 10/6/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/30/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/19/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana