In most cases, children born outside the U.S. are automatically granted American citizenship, as long as one of their parents is a U.S. citizen at the time of birth.

Children who are adopted by United States citizens or permanent residents may obtain immigration benefits in the United States similar to biological children born abroad, so long as the adoptions satisfy certain criteria.

You may be surprised to learn that foreign-born orphans who are adopted by U.S. citizens aren't guaranteed eligibility to immigrate to the United States.