My research topic involves a critical analysis of the historiography of the Amerasians living in Asian countries. In May 2013, the U. S. Senate Judiciary approved the Immigration Reform bill that would deliberately make citizenship possible for as many as eleven million undocumented immigrants. Such humanitarian-inspired legislation, defined as “sweeping in scope”; however, in my opinion, is not entirely sweeping enough, as it leaves the plight of the Amerasians in Asian countries unaddressed. There are tens of thousands of adult and children Amerasians fathered by U.S. servicemen stranded in the Philippines. I am one of the few fortunate ones who was able to immigrate to America through legitimation and “Derivative U.S. Citizenship for Adults”.
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Moreover, while most American fathers couldn 't care less about the children they left behind, there are also some fathers, like my dad, who desperately want to spare their children from such hardships living in the Philippines. These parents want their Amerasian children to be granted U.S. citizenship to reunite with them and their families in the United States. However, as an illegitimate child, and without proper legal documents, it is extremely hard to be acknowledged as an American citizen, and, therefore, to step foot on American soil. Furthermore, even as a legitimate child, it is still complicated for an Amerasian to claim U.S. citizenship due to the stringent process required by the U.S. Consulate. For instance, based on my personal experience five years ago—when I showed up for my interview at the U.S. Embassy, I had to make sure that I was armed with my parents’ marriage certificate, old letters, and old pictures. I also had to present my father’s notarized Affidavit of Paternity (acknowledging me as his daughter), my birth and school records, and my mother’s old prenatal records that must “match” the dates on my father’s military record. These requirements were to determine that my
Moreover, while most American fathers couldn 't care less about the children they left behind, there are also some fathers, like my dad, who desperately want to spare their children from such hardships living in the Philippines. These parents want their Amerasian children to be granted U.S. citizenship to reunite with them and their families in the United States. However, as an illegitimate child, and without proper legal documents, it is extremely hard to be acknowledged as an American citizen, and, therefore, to step foot on American soil. Furthermore, even as a legitimate child, it is still complicated for an Amerasian to claim U.S. citizenship due to the stringent process required by the U.S. Consulate. For instance, based on my personal experience five years ago—when I showed up for my interview at the U.S. Embassy, I had to make sure that I was armed with my parents’ marriage certificate, old letters, and old pictures. I also had to present my father’s notarized Affidavit of Paternity (acknowledging me as his daughter), my birth and school records, and my mother’s old prenatal records that must “match” the dates on my father’s military record. These requirements were to determine that my