Over 200,000 stateless people and many Unregistered Americans in the United States live without citizenship, identity documents, or legal protection. They cannot work lawfully, travel, or access basic services that most people take for granted. United Stateless addresses this hidden crisis through a stateless-led model that integrates trauma informed legal empowerment, community care, and policy advocacy. Our Legal Clinic provides direct support and builds capacity among impacted leaders. Our community programs foster belonging and resilience, while our advocacy advances the Stateless Protection Act, the first-ever legislation to recognize and protect stateless people in the United States.

After my country dissolved, I became stateless. Since childhood I lived in limbo, unable to leave, travel, or be fully seen by any nation. When I finally became a permanent resident 2 years ago, I knew I had to continue to use my voice so that others would not be forgotten. United Stateless was born from that experience and from a shared belief that those most affected must lead the way. With birthright citizenship now under threat, the moment to raise awareness and protect the right to belong is now.

Our biggest challenge is invisibility. Stateless people including Unregistered Americans remain unseen within systems that were never designed to recognize them. Stateless people fall through the gaps of immigration law, while Unregistered Americans, born in the United States without official birth records, are excluded from full recognition as citizens. With limited data and awareness, their experiences remain misunderstood even among policymakers and advocates. As political attacks on citizenship grow, we are working to bring visibility and understanding to these communities so that the United States builds a framework of recognition and protection for all who belong here.

We are guided by the global statelessness movement, including Family Frontiers in Malaysia, the Nubian Rights Forum in Kenya, and stakeholders like Blue Sky Social Justice Fund, who model community-led solutions rooted in dignity, care, and empowerment. In the United States, we draw inspiration from the Civil Rights movement, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and LGBTQ+ leaders like Harvey Milk who advanced inclusion and equality through courage and compassion. Their legacies remind us that freedom is tied to identity, and identity must never depend on paperwork.

Henry Pachnowski, once stateless for decades, became a U.S. citizen at age 84 after years of advocacy and hope. His story embodies what United Stateless stands for: perseverance, dignity, and systemic change through collective action. With our support, Henry’s case not only restored his identity but inspired policy conversations at the highest levels of government. Each victory like his is a step toward ensuring that stateless people are no longer invisible; that they belong, contribute, and thrive.