Did You Know Immigrants Can Obtain Citizenship In Exchange For Military Service

Did You Know Immigrants Can Obtain Citizenship In Exchange For Military Service

A report from Keep and Bear on April 12 2017 questioned if it was a fair trade if immigrants could obtain US citizenship in exchange for

their military service Author Keely Sharp said upfront “Absolutely Fair”

What most people do not know is that this practice was created by President George Bush in 2002 with Executive Order EO 13269entitled

“Expedited Naturalization of Aliens and Noncitizen Nationals Serving in an Active-Duty Status During the War on Terrorism”



Those persons serving honorably in active-duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States during the period beginning on September 11

2001 and terminating on the date to be so designated are eligible for naturalization in accordance with the statutory exception to the

naturalization requirements as provided in section 329 of the Act

It also signified that the EO would be terminated “on a date designated by future Executive Order”

Defense Department official Lt Col Myles Caggins said in an email sent to Fox News the

Law ensures that the sacrifice of noncitizens during a time of national need is met with an opportunity for early citizenship to recognize

their contribution and sacrifice

Concerning naturalization the decision to become a US citizen is a voluntary individual decision and each service provides assistance to

service members seeking citizenship

President Trump’s position on this issue came about on Sept 7 2016 when a female veteran asked him about the idea that an illegal immigrant

who wants to serve in our armed forces might be allowed to remain here legally Trump replied

“I think when you serve in the armed forces that’s a very special situation and I could see myself working that out absolutely”

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States Their

document entitled “Naturalization Through Military Service Fact Sheet” provides all of the necessary information to

Expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the US armed forces and recently discharged service members

From 2001 through 2015 109321 service members have been naturalized through this process in ceremonies being held in 34 countries

The bottom line here could be this if you are here illegally and you desire to become a US citizen then this is the fastest method to do

so And we all benefit from that decision