The phrase “Go back to your country” often targets immigrants, yet many stateless individuals in America lack a nation to return to. U.S. immigration law presumes everyone has a birthplace, but stateless people reveal a legal void. Stateless individuals like me experience this firsthand.

My family applied for asylum when I was eight. After our claim was rejected, the Soviet Union was no more, leaving us in limbo without Ukrainian citizenship. We joined the approximately 218,000 stateless people in the U.S., facing legal challenges with few solutions. Without a passport, daily tasks like driving, banking, or renting become hurdles. Absence of a Social Security number limits job opportunities and acquiring professional licenses for fields like education or healthcare. Travel restrictions heighten fears of permanent exclusion, and routine police actions can lead to detention due to missing documents.

Despite these challenges, stateless individuals often associate their life experiences with the U.S. We have lived, studied, and formed families here. Though not recognized as citizens, we consider this country home.

Many stateless individuals apply for asylum or temporary statuses like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Temporary Protected Status, sometimes receiving work permits. Others remain in the U.S. for decades, maintaining yearly contact with immigration officers. Some endure years of detention due to rejection by other nations.

The public has gained insight into detention center conditions, underscoring the need for humane treatment. Statelessness gained attention in a birthright citizenship case, where the Supreme Court upheld the 14th Amendment, safeguarding citizenship for newborns. To enhance protection, Congress must pass the Stateless Protection Act. This would institute a process to formally acknowledge stateless individuals, preventing detention and deportation, and granting legal identification, travel documentation, and work authorization.

The Stateless Protection Act does not grant citizenship but provides essential identification, employment opportunities, and reduces fear of authority figures. The U.S. has not signed the 1954 and 1961 United Nations conventions for stateless individuals, reflecting in outdated immigration laws.

Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough, co-founder and executive director of United Stateless, advocates for closing legal gaps with the Stateless Protection Act, fostering belonging and safety for stateless individuals in America.

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