What is Child Status Protection Act and how does it benefit children?
Q: What is the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)? A: CSPA changes who can be considered to be a “child” for the purpose of the issuance of visas by the Department of State and for purposes of adjustment of status of aliens by USCIS. The Act provides that if you are a U.S. citizen and you file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) on behalf of your child before he or she turns 21, your child will continue to be considered a child for immigration purposes even if USCIS does not act on the petition before your child turns 21. Children of lawful permanent residents also benefit if a Form I-130 is filed on behalf of their children (see below). Q: Who benefits under the new CSPA guidance? A: The new guidance allows aliens who had an approved immigrant visa petition prior to the enactment of the CSPA, but had not yet applied for permanent residence (either an application for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa) on the date of enactment to benefit from the CSPA. Under prior guidanc
