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Military veteran Fadel Tankoano's story highlights the bureaucratic challenges faced by stateless individuals in the U.S. Despite serving in the U.S. Army, Tankoano was considered stateless and faced deportation due to a passport error linked to his father's diplomatic status. His case underscores the urgent need for legislative changes to protect stateless individuals and ensure their contributions are recognized and valued.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing new guidelines to consider statelessness in immigration decisions, benefiting up to 200,000 stateless people in the U.S. This policy will raise awareness among legal professionals, potentially paving the way for future legislation. United Stateless supports these changes and calls for the passage of the Stateless Protection Act to provide protected status, green card eligibility, and a pathway to citizenship for stateless individuals.

What happens when no country recognizes you as a citizen? That’s the reality for millions of stateless people with no country to call home. Special Correspondent Joie Chen speaks with two stateless people about their journey to the U.S. and their struggles with achieving special immigration status.

Statelessness affects American families by denying them legal recognition, which leads to difficulties in accessing basic rights and services. Stateless individuals face unique challenges, such as lack of access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Advocacy organizations like United Stateless work to raise awareness and push for policy changes to address these issues, emphasizing the need for a legal framework to protect the rights of stateless people in the U.S.

On the International Day of Democracy, the article highlights the plight of stateless individuals, such as Tenzin, who live in legal limbo without citizenship. It underscores the need for legislative changes, like the Stateless Protection Act, to provide legal recognition and rights for stateless people. United Stateless advocates for these changes to ensure that stateless individuals can fully participate in society and enjoy basic human rights.

Geopolitical events such as war or the dissolution of a government, like the collapse of the Soviet Union, can leave people without a country. In the U.S. more than 200,000 people are living in a stateless status.

The Biden administration has introduced new guidelines to support stateless individuals in the U.S., providing a clearer definition of statelessness for immigration purposes. This policy change, led by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, aims to aid the 218,000 stateless people living in the country, like Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough, who have faced legal limbo and lack of recognition. The move is seen as a significant step toward acknowledging and addressing the challenges faced by stateless individuals.

The Biden administration has introduced guidelines to address the needs of the 218,000 stateless individuals in the U.S., incorporating statelessness into immigration considerations. This change marks a significant shift towards providing legal recognition and relief for those without a nationality. Advocates see this as a crucial first step and urge further legislative measures to secure comprehensive protections for stateless people.