Immigration Law

Military Service Offers Fast Track to Citizenship

By Robert Kraft

For many naturalized citizens, service in the United States military was the key to earning that citizenship. In fact, approximately 1,000 foreigners have earned their United States citizenship through military service since the Department of Defense initiated the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program after the 9/11 attacks.
 
The MAVNI pilot program expands upon a current Defense Department program that provides citizenship opportunities to those serving in the military who also hold green cards. In contrast, MAVNI provides a fast-tracked path to citizenship to those serving in the military who have been in the United States legally for two years or more, possess language or medical skills that are in high demand, but do not hold green cards.
 
Similar programs were initiated during World War II and the Korean War. These programs were crucial in fast-tracking immigrants toward citizenship following their service in the military.
 
For more information on the Department of Defense, please visit www.dod.gov.

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on June 24, 2009 (boomark / email).