SCHAKOWSKY JOINS EFFORT TO EASE CITIZENSHIP PROCEDURES FOR LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES
SCHAKOWSKY JOINS EFFORT TO EASE CITIZENSHIP PROCEDURES FOR LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today announced her support for H.R. 4575, the Citizenship for America's Troops Act, legislation to ease citizenship procedures for legal permanent residents serving in the Armed Services.
H.R. 4575 would allow the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to conduct citizenship interviews and oath ceremonies for military personnel at U.S. embassies, consulates, and military installations. Non-citizens in the military must travel back to the United States for naturalization. In addition to INS fees, non-citizen military personnel could pay up to $1,000 to become citizens.
"Legal permanent residents serving in the military are protecting America's interests here at home and around the world. We are grateful for their dedication as they carry out this critical mission. They should not be forced to pay thousands of dollars to become citizens," Schakowsky said.
Also, H.R. 4575 would change the required amount of military service for qualification to apply for citizenship from three to two years. In addition, the bill would exempt non-citizens military personnel from paying all fees relating to naturalization.
Thousands of non-citizens are serving in the Armed Forces:
- In the Army, over 6,000 enlisted personnel are non-citizen soldiers.
- In the Marine Corps, 6,620 enlisted personnel are non-citizens Marines.
- In the Air Force, 2,901 enlisted personnel are non-citizen Airmen.
- In the Navy, 5.6% of new recruits in 2001 were non-citizens (2,878 out of 51,277).