Servicemembers can apply for expedited U.S. citizenship

  • Published
  • By Gerry J. Gilmore
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Foreign-born servicemembers can now speed up the process to obtain American citizenship.

The immediate eligibility for servicemembers to become a naturalized citizen is based on Executive Order 13269 signed by President Bush on July 3, 2002. Section 329 of the 8 U.S. Code allows the president to authorize expedited citizenship during periods in which the United States is engaged in armed conflict with a hostile foreign force.

For example, servicemembers who have served honorably for any period of time beginning on or after Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible to apply for expedited U.S. citizenship, Col. Michael Pachuta said. He is the director of the Department of Defense’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation policy office.

The peacetime waiting period is shortened to one year of honorable service, thanks to the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act. Before the executive order, the peacetime waiting period was three years of honorable military service, Colonel Pachuta said.

Beginning Oct. 1, the new law allows for U.S. citizenship applications to be finalized at U.S. embassies, consulates and selected military installations overseas, to include citizenship interviews, testing and oaths of allegiance, he said. Also effective Oct. 1, the new law waives the $310 citizenship application and fingerprint fee.

The new law also provides sped-up avenues for the non-U.S.-citizen spouses, children and parents of servicemembers who have died as a result of service in combat to obtain "immediate relative" alien status, Colonel Pachuta said.

He said the new citizenship application rules cover active-duty servicemembers and National Guard and Reserve people who are classified as members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve.

Servicemembers who want to become naturalized U.S. citizens must apply for it, the colonel said. Soldiers and airmen seeking to become naturalized U.S. citizens under the expedited process can contact their military personnel offices, while sailors and Marines can contact their legal assistance offices for help, Colonel Pachuta said.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site provides forms, instructions and more helpful information about the naturalization process, he said.