"Exchange" programs for minor U.S. citizens raised overseas?

[SJinCA 26]

Hello all, seeking some help for a friend of mine who is in a rather particular situation. She is a foreign national, but her son is a U.S. citizen through her prior relationship with a USC. As I understand it, the relationship ended very acrimoniously when son was an infant, and the father has some serious issues, so son and dad have never been close. Mom and son have both visited the U.S. together, but son has lived his entire life with mom in her home country. 

 

Son is 16 now and mom wants him to do his final year of high school in the U.S. to prepare for college. However, she wouldn't be able to accompany him for multiple reasons -- wouldn't be able to work, couldn't afford to take an entire year off work, what kind of visa would let her stay for an entire year, etc. She's still in touch with dad's parents but worries about son being too close to dad if he goes to live with grandparents. Traditional exchange programs are out of the question because U.S. citizens, judging from my research, are generally ineligible for U.S.-bound programs. 

 

Has anyone ever heard of exchange programs for kids in this situation -- U.S. citizen children born and raised abroad by foreign national parent? I know it's a rather particular situation, but I'm sure there's a non-trivial number of people who fall into this category. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[nastra30 2,394]

23 hours ago, SJinCA said:

Hello all, seeking some help for a friend of mine who is in a rather particular situation. She is a foreign national, but her son is a U.S. citizen through her prior relationship with a USC. As I understand it, the relationship ended very acrimoniously when son was an infant, and the father has some serious issues, so son and dad have never been close. Mom and son have both visited the U.S. together, but son has lived his entire life with mom in her home country. 

 

Son is 16 now and mom wants him to do his final year of high school in the U.S. to prepare for college. However, she wouldn't be able to accompany him for multiple reasons -- wouldn't be able to work, couldn't afford to take an entire year off work, what kind of visa would let her stay for an entire year, etc. She's still in touch with dad's parents but worries about son being too close to dad if he goes to live with grandparents. Traditional exchange programs are out of the question because U.S. citizens, judging from my research, are generally ineligible for U.S.-bound programs. 

 

Has anyone ever heard of exchange programs for kids in this situation -- U.S. citizen children born and raised abroad by foreign national parent? I know it's a rather particular situation, but I'm sure there's a non-trivial number of people who fall into this category. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

US citizens don't need visa to enter the US for anything so no such visa exists. Son should just enter with US passport and enroll in the final year of high school. Free in public school.

Edited 5 hours ago by nastra30