Section IV: Child's Immigration Status

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law 104-193, as amended, limited Federal public benefits to qualified aliens. Adoption assistance under title IV-E of the Act is considered a Federal public benefit for the purposes of the PRWORA and, therefore, limited to U.S. citizens and qualified aliens. The definition of a qualified alien, at 8 USC 1641(b), includes but is not limited to, permanent residents, asylees, and refugees (see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service website at www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis for more details). Children who are illegal aliens or undocumented immigrants are not eligible for adoption assistance since they are not qualified aliens.

In addition, section 403 of PRWORA requires a qualified alien entering the United States on or after the date of enactment of PRWORA (August 22, 1996), unless excepted, to live in the United States for five years before becoming eligible for certain Federal public benefits. In accordance with section 403(c)(2)(F) of PRWORA, however, Federal payments for adoption assistance are excluded from this five-year residency requirement if the child and the foster or adoptive parent(s) with whom s/he is placed are qualified aliens. Accordingly, if a foster or adoptive parent is not a qualified alien, a child who is otherwise eligible under section 473 of the Act must meet the five-year residency requirement to receive title IV-E adoption assistance.

Questions Specific to Child's Immigration Status

(A) Does the State limit title IV-E adoption assistance eligibility only to citizens or qualified alien children who are otherwise eligible for title IV-E adoption assistance?

YESNONEEDS CLARIFICATION

If no, this is inconsistent with Federal requirements.

(B) To receive title IV-E adoption assistance, does the State require that the qualified alien child meet the five-year residency requirement if the child is placed with an adoptive parent who is not a qualified alien?

YESNONEEDS CLARIFICATION

If no, this is inconsistent with Federal requirements.

Steps to address areas needing clarification:
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List any areas noted above that are inconsistent with Federal requirements:
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Action(s) needed to assure the State's program meets Federal requirements:
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Citations for State laws, administrative rules, policies, etc., used for review of this requirement:
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Legal and Related References for Child's Immigration Status:

Section 473(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act
Section 403(c)(2)(F) of PRWORA
Child Welfare Policy Manual, Section 8.4B (1), (5-7), and (9)

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