In the United States, an estimated 218,000 individuals find themselves without legal recognition from any country, existing in a precarious state of statelessness. This unique vulnerability has been amplified by recent shifts in immigration policy, particularly under the current administration's intensified enforcement measures. Without a formal nationality, these individuals face severe obstacles to fundamental rights, including legal employment, access to education and healthcare, and the ability to travel. Their lives are often lived in constant apprehension of arrest and expulsion to lands they may never have known. This challenging environment underscores the critical need for comprehensive legal frameworks to safeguard the dignity and basic freedoms of this overlooked demographic.
The poignant narrative of Karina Ambartsoumian-Clough, who recently achieved homeownership in Asbury Park, N.J., starkly illustrates the profound impact of statelessness. Born in Soviet Ukraine, she arrived in the U.S. in 1996 with her family, seeking asylum from political and religious strife. Due to the bureaucratic disarray and evolving nationality laws during the post-Soviet era, her family was never officially registered as Ukrainian citizens. Consequently, despite having resided in the U.S. for decades, being married to an American citizen, and now holding lawful permanent residency, Ms. Ambartsoumian-Clough remains stateless. Her journey highlights the invisible crisis faced by hundreds of thousands in the U.S. and millions globally, as estimated by the Center for Migration Studies and UNHCR.
Legal expert Laura Bingham points out that the current administration's aggressive immigration tactics, such as the revocation of naturalized citizenship and challenges to birthright citizenship, could dramatically increase the number of stateless individuals. This creates a deeply concerning scenario where those without a country are rendered even more defenseless. In response to this pressing issue and the lack of governmental support, Ms. Ambartsoumian-Clough co-founded United Stateless, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of the stateless community. The group has documented instances of its members being detained for extended periods and moved between facilities, making it challenging to track their whereabouts. Many, despite living in the U.S. for decades, remain under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), facing regular check-ins that now carry a heightened risk of detention or deportation.
The dilemma of indefinite detention looms large for stateless persons, as their lack of national affiliation means there is no country to which they can be repatriated. This problem is exacerbated by the practice of third-country deportations, where individuals are sent to nations with which they have no genuine connection. Without official identification or legal standing, stateless individuals are effectively forced into the shadows, unable to fully participate in society or access essential services. Tanya Furlong and Danah Aracena, both of whom share similar experiences of statelessness, echo Ms. Ambartsoumian-Clough's sentiments. Ms. Furlong, born in the Soviet Union and arriving in the U.S. at age 10, lived in fear and secrecy for years, even from her closest friends. Her past detention for 11 months, following a traffic stop, leaves her in constant dread of future arbitrary detention.
Ms. Aracena's experience is equally harrowing. Born in Kuwait to a stateless father, she arrived in New York City at age four seeking asylum, which was ultimately denied. Her father was deported, leaving her stranded without a country. At 15, she, her mother, and brother were detained by ICE for months, an experience she describes as deeply traumatic. Despite her current lawful permanent residency and family in the U.S., the fear of re-detention persists. These personal struggles underscore the profound human rights implications of statelessness and the urgent need for a recognized legal pathway to citizenship in the U.S. Both Ms. Furlong and Ms. Aracena vividly recall how their hidden status forced them to conceal their identities, leading to profound isolation and psychological distress. This clandestine existence prevents them from establishing roots or truly feeling secure in their adopted homeland.
The United States has historically lagged in establishing a comprehensive legal framework for stateless persons, only briefly adopting a policy in August 2023 to acknowledge statelessness as a factor in immigration applications. However, this policy was revoked in June, reverting to a status quo where statelessness remains largely misunderstood and unaddressed by U.S. immigration agencies. This decision effectively eliminates any incentive for authorities to identify or assist stateless individuals, leaving them without clear avenues for relief or protection. The Stateless Protection Act, reintroduced to Congress, aims to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency and eventual citizenship for stateless individuals who pass security checks, but it has yet to gain traction. Until such legislation is enacted, stateless individuals in the U.S. will continue to navigate a landscape of uncertainty, devoid of the basic rights and protections afforded to citizens or even recognized immigrants. The stories of Ms. Ambartsoumian-Clough, Ms. Furlong, and Ms. Aracena serve as compelling reminders of the human cost of this legal vacuum, emphasizing their deep integration into American society and their poignant declaration: “I think in English. I dream in English.”