attorneys, judges and government officials. Many stateless people receive incompetant or
insufficient help with their immigration and asylum cases. As a result, even when potential
solutions exist for stateless people under the existing legal system, such as the asylum system,
these opportunities are missed by attorneys and immigration officials.
Recommendations
Based on the above information, the co-submitting organizations urge the SR Minorities to raise the
following issues:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
Enact legislation (namely, the Stateless Protection Act drafted by United Stateless) that adopts
the internationally recognized definition of “stateless person” and provides lawful permanent
residence and a path to U.S. citizenship for stateless people residing in the U.S.
Ratify and fully implement the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the
1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, and core human rights treaties, including the
CRC, CEDAW, CMW and CRPD;
Enact legislation that provides a path to citizenship for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) recipients who face risks of statelessness.
Amend U.S. laws to release stateless people from detention during the 90 day removal period to
prevent arbitrary detention.
Amend U.S. laws to remove re-entry requirements for stateless individuals to allow them to adjust
their residence status in the U.S. without needing to travel overseas.
Amend procedures and policies to mainstream statelessness throughout the asylum and
immigration judicial system, including by updating training manuals for judges and others involved
in the process.
Work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: grant stateless people in the U.S.
deferred action or temporary permission to reside in the U.S.; remove orders of supervision and
travel limitations; establish a policy of timely release for stateless people with final orders of
removal; and provide fee-exempt identity documents and work authorization.
Reinstate the DACA program, which will provide temporary protection to certain stateless
individuals.
Encourage Congress to pass legislation (namely the Stateless Protection Act drafted by United
Stateless) that provides lawful permanent residence and a path to citizenship for stateless people
in the U.S.
Designate a department or bureau within DHS to address statelessness domestically, working in
cooperation with the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration which
already works to address statelessness outside of the U.S.
Establish stateless status determination procedure within DHS.
Issue guidance to the Department of Justice(DOJ) to terminate final removal proceedings for
stateless people residing in the U.S.
Prioritize education and awareness on the issue of statelessness within the executive branch.
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