Children born on or after 1 January 2000 to non-German parents acquire German citizenship at birth if at least one parent:
- has a permanent residence permit, and;
- has been residing in Germany for at least eight years.
Legal residency is required in Germany -- change the US laws like this:
- has a permanent residence permit, and;
- has been residing in Germany for at least seven years.
- children born to one parent who is a legal residence permit holder become US citizens if they remain in the United States for seven contiguous years.