7/26/2004
The
requirement and procedure for naturalization (citizenship) application for
immigrants in the U.S. military are different from other immigrants.
Additionally, the military immigrants will bypass the certain procedures within
the U.S. and citizenship proceeding will be completed abroad beginning from
October 1, 2004.
If
you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and are interested in becoming a U.S.
citizen, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship under special provisions
provided for in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Generally, service in
the U.S. Armed Forces means service in one of the following branches:
- Army,
- Navy,
- Marine
Corps,
- Air
Force,
- Coast
Guard,
- Certain
Reserve components of the National Guard, and
- Selected
Reserve of the Ready Reserve
Recent
changes in the relevant sections of the INA (Sections 328 and 329) make it
easier for qualified military personnel to become U.S. citizens if they choose
to file a naturalization application.
In addition, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created
a streamlined process specifically for military personnel serving in active-duty
status or recently discharged.
There
are general requirements and qualifications that must be met in order for you to
become a US citizen. These include:
- Demonstrating
that you have good moral character
- Demonstrating
knowledge of the English language
- Demonstrating
knowledge of U.S. government and history (“civics”), and
- Demonstrating
attachment to the U.S. by taking an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
Constitution.
As a
member of the military there are other naturalization requirements that you may
be excepted from, including the required residency and physical presence in the
United States. These exceptions are outlined in Sections 328 and 329 of the INA.
Section
328, INA
This
section applies to all members currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or
those who have already been discharged from service.
- Have
you served honorably for a total of one or more years?
- Are
you a lawful permanent resident?
- Will
you be filing your application for naturalization while still in service or
within six months of being discharged?
Section
329, INA
This
section applies to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who serve in active-duty
status during authorized periods of conflict as outlined in the INA or any
additional period designated by the President in an Executive Order.*
*
Recently, the President signed an Executive Order identifying September 11, 2001
and after as an authorized period of conflict.
- Have
you served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during an authorized period of
conflict?
- After
enlistment, were you lawfully admitted as a permanent resident of the United
States, OR at the time or enlistment, reenlistment, or induction were you
physically present in the United States or qualifying territory?
Changes
on October 1, 2004
Recent
legislation has called for additional benefits to members of the military. These
benefits will go into effect on October 1, 2004.
- No
fees will be charged when you file for
naturalization.
- The
naturalization process will be made available overseas to members of the
Armed Forces at US embassies, consulates, and where practical, military
installations abroad.
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