The permanent residence category for religious workers has been extended. While ministers could always apply for permanent residence, other religious workers were no longer eligible on September 30, 2000. To qualify, the individual must have a job offer from a religious organization in the U.S., and have worked for the same denomination abroad for at least two years. Children adopted internationally as orphans will automatically become citizens on February 27, 2001. There is no need to file for naturalization.
Parents can simply apply for a U.S. passport as proof of citizenship for their child.
The standards for citizenship for other children born abroad to U.S. parents and non-orphan international adoptions has also changed. The oath of citizenship can be waiver for applicants who are disabled. The Visa Waiver Pilot Program has been extended. The goal of the law is to stop U.S. citizens from keeping a spouse in an abusive relationship by using visa status as a weapon. The law also creates a new T visa for victims of the international sex trafficking trade.