SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: THE PACIFIC Causes of Statelessness Lack of legal safeguards against childhood statelessness There is no protection for foundling children in the Marshall Islands’ national legislation on citizenship. However, the limited jus soli provisions of the Marshall Islands citizenship laws provide citizenship to persons born on the territory who are not entitled to ‘be or become a citizen of any other country’.1584 While lacking mention of statelessness, this provision should enable children born to stateless parents to gain citizenship at birth. There is no protection for foundling children in the Marshall Islands’ national legislation on citizenship. Administrative barriers In 2017, the Marshall Islands’ birth registration rate was at 84%.1585 One of the major challenges causing incomplete birth registration in the country is its centralized system that requires families to physically visit registration offices in either Majuro or Ebeye, which creates geographical and financial barriers for those SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW: THE PACIFIC residing in the outer islands.1586 Like other countries in the Pacific, birth registration in the outer islands tends to be lower, which can be remedied by implementing mobile registration teams.1587 For unwed and adolescent mothers, it is especially important to ensure accurate birth registration,1588 which could be attributed to social stigma.1589 In 2017, the Marshall Islands’ birth registration rate was at 84%. Statelessness and climate change There are a number of articles and reports written on the risk of statelessness faced by citizens of low-lying Pacific states including the Marshall Islands due to the impact of climate-induced sea-level rise.1590 This risk of statelessness from ‘disappearing states’ currently remains a hypothetical question regarding the existence of statehood without territory, the continuation of citizenship without physical attachment and the potential lack of effective governments. Further, before any states ‘disappear’, the impacts of relocation and an increase in displaced populations on communities and individual’s nationality status will need to be faced.1591 Federated States of Micronesia (Micronesia) Laws Citizenship Law Jus sanguinis provisions The citizenship laws of the Federated States of Micronesia (Micronesia) operate through jus sanguinis provisions with children born either within or outside of the territory to a citizen parent automatically considered citizens.1592 Children born outside of the territory are considered natural citizens until the age of 21, after which they will only be considered citizens if they established permanent residence before reaching the age of 21.1593 Micronesia’s national legislation also does not include a definition of a stateless person or any explicit mention of statelessness. The citizenship laws of the Federated States of Micronesia (Micronesia) operate through jus sanguinis provisions with children born either within or outside of the territory to a citizen parent automatically considered citizens. Naturalized citizenship A naturalization process is only available to children of a citizen parent who are 18 years or older, of good character, has renounced previous citizenship, and have been permanent residents in the territory for at least five years.1594 Further, in order to apply for naturalized citizenship in Micronesia, the applicant must have already renounced their other citizenship, leaving them in an indefinite period of statelessness.1595 There are no provisions providing stateless persons or refugees the opportunity to apply for naturalization. There are no provisions providing stateless persons or refugees the opportunity to apply for naturalization. Dual citizenship Due to a constitutional amendment passed in 2023, Micronesians can have dual citizenship with the United States.1596 Dual citizenship is not recognized with a state other than the U.S.1597 138 STATELESSNESS ENCYCLOPEDIA ASIA PACIFIC (DETAILED VERSION) REPORT 2024 139