a legislative framework, the U.S. Government has undertaken certain administrative efforts that help lessen the hardships facing stateless individuals. This includes a 2012 policy that provides discretion to lessen reporting requirements for certain stateless individuals with final orders of removal. Additional administrative policy changes that could improve the quality of life of stateless individuals in the United States would include routinely providing work authorization, refraining from detaining them when it is clear that there is no country that will accept them, and limiting the in-person reporting requirements. This report provides information on statelessness in the United States and offers recommendations to aid policy makers and legislators in implementing administrative and legislative changes to improve the lives of stateless individuals who already reside in this country—individuals like Tatianna and her son David—so that they are able to participate as full members of society. This report makes the following recommendations concerning stateless individuals in the United States. Recommendations for the White House 1. As pledged by the U.S. Government in December 2011, support and encourage Congressional efforts to enact legislation that provides a path for stateless individuals in the United States to seek lawful permanent residency and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. 2. In the absence of a legislative framework addressing statelessness in the United States, engage in dialogue with the Department of Homeland Security to grant deferred action, or temporary permission to reside in the United States, to eligible stateless individuals. Recommendations for the United States Congress 3. Enact legislation that provides a path for 4 stateless individuals in the United States to seek lawful permanent residency and U.S. citizenship to address the lack of options and permanent solutions currently available to them. 4. Amend existing laws to allow stateless individuals to be released from immigration detention during the 90-day removal period, in recognition of the fact that, in most cases, the removal of stateless persons is per se unforeseeable. 5. Accede to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in consultation with the Executive Branch, and enact any necessary implementing legislation. Recommendations for the Department of Homeland Security 6. As pledged by the U.S. Government in December 2011, support and encourage Congressional efforts to enact legislation that provides a path for stateless individuals in the United States to seek lawful permanent residency and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. 7. Establish an individual statelessness status determination procedure in consultation with UNHCR that incorporates a definition of statelessness in accordance with international law and provide successful applicants with permission to reside in the United States. 8. Designate officers responsible for assessing whether an individual is stateless. Ensure that they receive comprehensive training and guidance on making this assessment and that information concerning the treatment of stateless individuals is widely disseminated among all officers. 9. Provide automatic, fee-exempt identity and work authorization document that does not require annual renewal to individuals determined to be stateless. Citizens of Nowhere: