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Title 7: SNAP Page 33 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter I: Specific Households and Participants Households with Alien Members Revised February 13, 2026 Sponsored Aliens Documentation of Acquired Citizenship Legal reference: Public Law 106-395, 7 CFR 273.2(f)(2)(ii) A child born outside of the United States automatically becomes a citizen of the United States when:  At least one parent is a U.S. citizen whether by birth or naturalization, and  The child is under 18 years of age, and  The child is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent. Foreign-born children do not automatically acquire citizenship when adopted by a U.S. citizen. Under the Child Citizenship Act, a child acquires U.S. citizenship on the date that all of the following requirements are satisfied:  At least one adoptive parent is a U.S. citizen,  The child is under 18 years of age,  There is a full and final adoption of the child, and  The child is admitted to the United States as an immigrant. If a child’s citizenship is questionable, the following listing of documents can be used if needed to verify that the child has acquired U.S. citizenship:  Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)  Certificate of Naturalization (N-550 or N-570) If proof of citizenship is needed, but documentation is not available, refer the person to USCIS for a determination of U.S. citizenship. Reporting Undocumented Aliens Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.4(b) At the time of interview, explain alien eligibility criteria and verification procedures to households that include non-citizen members. Verify the status only of household members who are applying for assistance and claim to have an eligible status for the program. Based on federal guidance, the Department is to report to the USCIS that an alien is not lawfully present in the United States only if we “know” that the alien is not lawfully present. The Department “knows” this only if:  The alien applies to receive benefits, and  The alien claims to have an eligible status for the program, and  In making a formal determination of eligibility, we receive from USCIS verification of undocumented status, such as a Final Order of Deportation.