These immigrants often eventually desire citizenship, and are eager to find a way to accelerate that process.
According to journalist Stewart Smith, “every year, more than 8,000” people who are not U.S. citizens join the U.S. military. This represents a fast track to education, employment opportunities, better incomes, and eventual citizenship in the United States.
Recruiters find that “there is great interest from all over the world from foreigners wanting to serve in the United States Military.” Individuals want to join the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard for a variety of reasons — educational opportunities and improved income among them — and “they know it can be a pathway to citizenship.” Smith adds that military members often “have an expedited process.”
Put simply, “a non-citizen can enlist in the military,” and “can go to the U.S. military recruiter of the branch of service” she or he might desire — like citizens, non-citizens can choose from among the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard — and also, National Guard and Reserves.
The government has procedures “to allow military members from foreign countries to have an accelerated path to citizenship.” Smith explains the details: “In 1990, in the early days of Gulf War One, President George H.W. Bush signed an executive order which allowed any military member (active duty, Reserves, or National Guard) to apply for citizenship, without any residency requirement. This saves the military member five years” as compared to other applicants “for citizenship.” In other words, “the military helps” the applicant to “accelerate the process.”
Smith goes on to summarize: “Since July 3, 2002, under special provisions in Section 329 of the INA, President Bush signed an executive order authorizing all non-citizens who have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to immediately file for citizenship. This order also covers veterans of certain designated past wars and conflicts. The authorization will remain in effect until a date designated by a future presidential executive order,” and is in fact still in effect.
In many cases, not only can a member of the military be on a fast track to citizenship, but her or his spouse can receive similar benefits, as Stewart Smith explains:
Special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) state: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the U.S. armed forces and recently discharged service members. Qualifying military service includes serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard. In addition, spouses of members of the U.S. armed forces who are or will be deployed may be eligible for expedited naturalization. Other provisions of the law also allow certain spouses to complete the naturalization process abroad.
The exact text defining these benefits is found the U.S. Code, at 8 USC 1440.
