Rachel Browning’s Legal Blog

       This week USCIS officials traveled to Afghanistan to process naturalization applications and interview 125 members of the military who have applied to become U.S. citizens. Those eligible service-members whose applications are approved will then participate in a special Memorial Day naturalization ceremony at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.   “These USCIS officers volunteered to deploy in support of our military men and women serving in Afghanistan,” said acting USCIS Deputy Director Mike Aytes. “It is a privilege to support our nation’s servicemembers in their pursuit of citizenship, and we are humbled by their selfless service to the United States.”  And so with Memorial Day just around the corner, I’d like to give a shout out to our veterans and service-members serving here and abroad, and send my congratulations to those who will soon become U.S. Citizens, in part, through their service to our country.

·         Naturalization of U.S. Service-members

            All immigrants who have served honorably in an active-duty status for any period since Sept. 11, 2001, are eligible to apply for citizenship under special provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act.  Under these provisions, USCIS officers have administered the Oath of Allegiance to more than 47,500 service-members, including women and men serving in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and onboard Navy flagships at sea. 

·         Basic Naturalization Requirements

            Individuals who have been permanent residents of the United States for a period of at least five years are eligible to apply for naturalization.  Those who acquired their permanent residency through marriage are eligible to apply for naturalization after three years of permanent residency, provided they are still married to and residing with their spouse through whom they gained permanent residency.  The general requirements for naturalization include: continuous residence and physical presence in the United States; residence in a particular USCIS District prior to filing; the ability to read, write, and speak English; a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; good moral character; “attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution”; and, a “favorable disposition” toward the United States. 

            If you are interested in learning more about the special naturalization provisions for U.S. service-members, or general information on the naturalization requirements and procedures, contact the immigration and naturalization lawyers of Smith & Garg in Houston, The Woodlands, and Spring, Texas for more information or to schedule a consultation.