FirmhandKY
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Joined: 9/21/2004
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quote:
ORIGINAL: joanus
No Im pretty sure you have to be a US citizen to join up, I'll check on that. Last I check the only hostial act the Japanese did was start building the motors for John Deere mowers.
The reason they dont let dual citizens join is in case of war the soldier isn't tempted to switch sides or go moe for a forgien country.
First service, then citizenship
Military gives immigrants a fast, if not easy, ticket in
Saturday, June 3, 2006
By MIKE BARBER
P-I REPORTER
FORT LEWIS -- At 13, Cesar Aguilar came to the U.S. from Mexico, where he had worked in the fields picking produce since he was 5.
He crossed the border illegally, joining millions of undocumented immigrants.
On Friday, Pvt. Cesar Aguilar, 24, a U.S. Army infantryman who could soon be deployed in Iraq, took the oath of allegiance to become a U.S. citizen.
In between the years of hardship, hard work and sheer endurance in the face of prejudice and obstacles, Aguilar has fought to be part of a country he would die for.
"I'll be honored to go over to Iraq or anywhere to defend this country," Aguilar, a husband and father of two, said before taking the oath of allegiance at Fort Lewis' Evergreen Theater. "This country has given me a lot."
Aguilar, who will be promoted to private first class on July 7, joined 23 other active-duty Stryker Brigade soldiers and 15 Army spouses from 20 countries who had sworn to defend the U.S. before they could hold a passport, serve on a jury or vote.
They join a growing number of men and women in uniform whose military service put them on the fast track to citizenship. At a time when the nation debates immigration, amnesty and citizenship, thousands of soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and airmen are signing up while still holding green cards.
Some become citizens after they have already seen combat, and some after dying for their adopted country.
Active-duty servicemen and women from all branches, as well as certain components of the National Guard and reserves, can move to the front of the line for U.S. citizenship under an executive order that President Bush signed July 3, 2002.
The order allows those serving on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to immediately file for citizenship. They once had to complete a year of honorable service before qualifying to file.
It takes about six months once someone in the military files for citizenship to have it granted. They pay no fees. Any children they have under age 18 who are legal residents automatically become citizens when their mothers or fathers do.
The spouses of men and women in the service who become citizens don't automatically become citizens, but they are immediately eligible to apply for naturalization.
By contrast, a typical legal resident must wait five years after getting a green card to become eligible for citizenship. It costs about $400 in fees.
Both those in the service and civilians must be able to show their ability to speak English and pass a test about civics and U.S. history.
Expedited Citizenship for Military Personnel
President Bush has signed a bill to expedite citizenship for foreign-born members of the military. Fees will also be waived for these candidates. Text of the press release from the USCIS:
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces may apply for citizenship under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Generally, that includes service in one of the following brances of the U.S. military:
- Army - Navy - Marine Corps - Air Force - Coast Guard
- Certain Reserve components of the National Guard
- Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve
Recent changes in section 328 and 329 of the INA make it easier for qualified military personnel to become U.S. citizens. In addition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has created a streamlined process specifically for military personnel serving on active-duty status or recently discharged. As of October 1, 2004, members of the U.S. Armed Forces do not pay a fee when filing for citizenship.
To date, more than 18,000 service members have applied for expedited naturalization. USCIS has helped nearly 9,000 of
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Some people are just idiots.
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