Understanding the Challenges of Stateless Individuals in the U.S.

The phrase “Go back to your country” is a common derogatory remark aimed at immigrants. For many, including stateless individuals, this isn’t an option. The U.S. immigration system assumes everyone has a national home, but those without citizenship reveal a flaw not yet addressed by Congress.

My family applied for asylum in the U.S. when I was eight. By the time we were ordered to leave, the Soviet Union had dissolved, and Ukraine did not acknowledge me as a citizen. We found ourselves among approximately 218,000 stateless individuals in the U.S.

The Reality of Statelessness

Stateless individuals in the U.S. experience legal vulnerability. Without a passport, they lack proper identification, complicating daily tasks. Obtaining a driver’s license, opening a bank account, or renting a home is fraught with difficulty. Employment is limited due to the absence of a Social Security number, rendering professional careers inaccessible.

Traveling outside the U.S. is risky, as returning might not be possible. Encounters with police can lead to detention due to a lack of valid documents.

Life Built in the U.S.

Many stateless people have lived in the U.S. most of their lives. They have attended schools, pursued higher education, and started families. Despite lacking formal citizenship, they consider the U.S. their home. These individuals are not hidden from the government. Asylum applications or temporary statuses like DACA are common among them, with some receiving work permits.

Some endure extended periods in detention centers because they have nowhere else to go. Living conditions in these centers are increasingly scrutinized by the American public.

Legislative Action Needed

Statelessness gained brief attention during a Supreme Court case concerning birthright citizenship. Fears arose that children could be born stateless, but the court upheld the 14th Amendment, protecting citizenship rights.

The Stateless Protection Act is a legislative proposal aimed at offering long-term solutions for those living without nationality. It would formalize recognition of stateless status, providing protection from deportation and access to work permits and legal identification.

Passing this act won’t confer citizenship automatically. It seeks to give those who have built their lives in the U.S. an opportunity to live without constant fear. The U.S. has not signed two key UN treaties on stateless rights, highlighting a gap in its immigration policy.

Implementing the Stateless Protection Act would address significant shortcomings and offer stateless individuals a sense of belonging and stability.