Expedited Citizenship through the Military?

[FutureAmerican 2]

Hi all,

As I'd mentioned in older threads, I'd always planned on joining the US Military once I had my CR1. A side benefit of this was that I would be eligible to apply for US Citizenship as soon as I finished my training - however I called up the USCIS helpline on Friday, and was told that because I'm on a CR1, I am NOT eligible for the expedited Citizenship until I remove the conditions! This is going to be another year and a half, which has thrown a spanner in the works of my plans, because I had planned to go into the US Coast Guard, stay as a non-rate (i.e. undesignated speciality), get the Citizenship, and then go for a speciality like Intelligence or similar. As it is, that would now mean I would have to stay at a relatively low rank (E-3) for the first 2 years, which just isn't going to work when I have a wife to support.

It looks like I'm going to be going for another service where I have a much broader range of options as a non-citizen (e.g. the Army as a paralegal or Air Traffic Controller) - but I wanted to make the other VJ members aware of this. The USCIS website just says that you need to be a "Legal Permanent Resident" and have served on active duty since 9/11 - but apparantely CR1 holders aren't considered "Legal Permanent Residents"!!). I did try calling a special USCIS phone number for military personnel, but they refused to speak to me unless I was currently on active duty! So I'm going to try to get my recruiter to call up for me so we can get a second opinion on the subject.

On a final note, I think it's totally ridiculous that during a time of war, the USCIS will only help certain Green Card holders get their Citizenship - I actually know one CR1 holder who is currently on a tour of duty in Iraq and they are still insisting he has to wait to remove his conditions!!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Hi all,

As I'd mentioned in older threads, I'd always planned on joining the US Military once I had my CR1. A side benefit of this was that I would be eligible to apply for US Citizenship as soon as I finished my training - however I called up the USCIS helpline on Friday, and was told that because I'm on a CR1, I am NOT eligible for the expedited Citizenship until I remove the conditions! This is going to be another year and a half, which has thrown a spanner in the works of my plans, because I had planned to go into the US Coast Guard, stay as a non-rate (i.e. undesignated speciality), get the Citizenship, and then go for a speciality like Intelligence or similar. As it is, that would now mean I would have to stay at a relatively low rank (E-3) for the first 2 years, which just isn't going to work when I have a wife to support.

It looks like I'm going to be going for another service where I have a much broader range of options as a non-citizen (e.g. the Army as a paralegal or Air Traffic Controller) - but I wanted to make the other VJ members aware of this. The USCIS website just says that you need to be a "Legal Permanent Resident" and have served on active duty since 9/11 - but apparantely CR1 holders aren't considered "Legal Permanent Residents"!!). I did try calling a special USCIS phone number for military personnel, but they refused to speak to me unless I was currently on active duty! So I'm going to try to get my recruiter to call up for me so we can get a second opinion on the subject.

On a final note, I think it's totally ridiculous that during a time of war, the USCIS will only help certain Green Card holders get their Citizenship - I actually know one CR1 holder who is currently on a tour of duty in Iraq and they are still insisting he has to wait to remove his conditions!!

Be very careful with information you get from the 1800 line they are well known for giving out wrong information.... they are not immigration staff just a call center.... you would do better to make an infopass appointment at your local USCIS office and talk to an immigration officer who can give you the correct info....

Good luck

Kez

[FutureAmerican 2]

Thanks for the advice Kezzie! I've managed to make an Infopass appointment for April 21st - not as soon as I'd like but at least then I could try to get a definitive answer.

Incidentally one reason I have looked at doing Paralegal work in the Army (The only branch which lets you do it as a non-Citizen) is because frequently I'd have to help fellow Immigrants in the military, and at least I would have personal experience in the field!

[seaflower 0]

Don't talk to anyone in USCIS concerning this, Your recuireter will have no clue also, You need to find the legal/administration office in your base/active or reserve , and talk to them , tell your recuireter that, in the navy they call it JAG, and they are the ones that helps you with that , i don't know about Army but even an officer in USCIS will not be able to help you 100 % or he will just give you wrong info, you need to find the legal office people in your branch and talk to them before anything, as far as i know if you have an I -751 in process or if you have the 2 years conditional green card, and you are on ACTIVE DUTY military can apply for you for your US citizenship, let me know if you have any problems

[Creel 0]

I found this on someones elses thread. I think they didn't know what they were telling you at the 1-800 number.

Page 3

FAQ – 319(B) of the INA

May I file my naturalization application if I am a conditional resident? What should I do?

If you are a conditional resident, you may file for naturalization. If you are within the 90 days of the two-year anniversary (the expiration date on your green card) or if your naturalization application will not be processed prior to your two-year anniversary, you must filed a Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, according to the instructions on the form. If you have already filed your I-751 Petition, please notify our office so that the Form I-751 may be considered and adjudicated at the time of your naturalization interview.

[FutureAmerican 2]

The problem I have is that I have spoken to active duty military personnel on Conditional Permanent Residency, and they were denied naturalisation by USCIS until they had the conditions removed. My Recruiter called up the military helpline today and was told the same thing.

Although I will be putting in the I-751, that isn't going to happen for over a year, which as I said, is a heck of a long time to stay as a non-rated E-3 in the USCG.

[Wrights 0]

well... i am going ARMY National Guard to get my citizenship expedited and joining ROTC. My ROTC recruiter got me in touch with a guard recruiter who specializes in Expedited Citizenships... So as soon as i get my I-551 or green card, i'm gonna go to basic. I already passed the ASVAB with a score of 82, and done my medical and PT test. So techinically you need to speak with someone who specializes in it. you can do it.. trust ME..

[FutureAmerican 2]

Wrights - would you be able to PM a contact number or email for the Recruiter you know who specialises in expedited Citizenships? I'm getting so many different stories here, and the chances are that the InfoPass appointment probably wouldn't be anymore productive.

[Staashi 371]

Hi all,

As I'd mentioned in older threads, I'd always planned on joining the US Military once I had my CR1. A side benefit of this was that I would be eligible to apply for US Citizenship as soon as I finished my training - however I called up the USCIS helpline on Friday, and was told that because I'm on a CR1, I am NOT eligible for the expedited Citizenship until I remove the conditions! This is going to be another year and a half, which has thrown a spanner in the works of my plans, because I had planned to go into the US Coast Guard, stay as a non-rate (i.e. undesignated speciality), get the Citizenship, and then go for a speciality like Intelligence or similar. As it is, that would now mean I would have to stay at a relatively low rank (E-3) for the first 2 years, which just isn't going to work when I have a wife to support.

It looks like I'm going to be going for another service where I have a much broader range of options as a non-citizen (e.g. the Army as a paralegal or Air Traffic Controller) - but I wanted to make the other VJ members aware of this. The USCIS website just says that you need to be a "Legal Permanent Resident" and have served on active duty since 9/11 - but apparantely CR1 holders aren't considered "Legal Permanent Residents"!!). I did try calling a special USCIS phone number for military personnel, but they refused to speak to me unless I was currently on active duty! So I'm going to try to get my recruiter to call up for me so we can get a second opinion on the subject.

On a final note, I think it's totally ridiculous that during a time of war, the USCIS will only help certain Green Card holders get their Citizenship - I actually know one CR1 holder who is currently on a tour of duty in Iraq and they are still insisting he has to wait to remove his conditions!!

According to USCIS, you are an LPR, but a conditional one until you have your conditions removed. Because of this, you walk this fine line of what you can apply for due to your status within the US. It's kind of like [i]"OK - you're here but we want to see how well that marriage works out and then we'll decide if you can REALLY be here." [/i] Hypothetically, you can apply for citizenship after 3 years as an LPR if it is based on marriage - which is better than if you were a traditional LPR.

Aside from that, based on what the USCIS website says, you have to have served for one or more years and be a LPR. One thing that is difficult for the military to evaluate is that your greencard shows an expiration date that will happen within the next 1-2 years. The only thing that I can see as a positive situation here is that you could join (if they will let you) and as soon as you're eligible to remove conditions proceed and then move forward with the naturalization where your fees will be waived. It is a difficult situation because this seems to be a situation where both sides are not going to budge no matter what you're doing for this country.

Good luck with your decision - you'll make the right one.

[FutureAmerican 2]

Staashi - One thing recruiters have always been concerned about is that I may "lose" my conditional status while in the military, and thus no longer be a US Resident...I explained how it works and it satisfied them that I wasn't planning to do anything to lose such status and my wife & I got married for the right reasons (i.e. NOT for a Green Card!!). Although the service time is down to 1 year, because the US has been in a state of war since 9/11, as long as you serve at least one day on Active Duty you are eligible...if you are a 10-year Green Card Holder. I won't even be eligible to remove the conditions till Sept 2009 (or at least file for them June 2009), so I need to find a good branch/MOS to do in the meantime.

At the end of the day, despite my frustrations with the system and conflicting information, I am VERY happy to have the opportunity to serve at all, as I know many without any type of Green Card who would LOVE to serve! And at least being able to get the fees waived and get the Citizenship a bit quicker is a bonus in any case.

[FutureAmerican 2]

I went down for an infopass appointment about this issue - and was initially told "But you can't enlist in the military on Conditional Permanent Residency!" - when I pointed out the relevant sections in military recruiting manuals indicating you can enlist in any service apart from the Air Force on CPR, I was then told "Oh, let me get my supervisor to call you about this"...so I'm waiting on that now. It's sad that I know more about military immigration law than the USCIS!!

[FutureAmerican 2]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd update this thread as I got a letter from the USCIS today - they confirmed IN WRITING that I was eligible to apply for Expedited Citizenship provided I am on active duty and in a "deployable unit" which includes all of the USCG Ships etc, so I should be good to go after I finish Boot Camp!

I'm VERY happy that they gave me something in writing, as that will help if I face anymore issues with this down the line! Should be heading off to Boot Camp in a few weeks now, so hopefully I can give everyone an update after that once I apply for Citizenship!

[NatHug 1]

You probably have all the information you need by now but let me add some information for you and others. I don't know who you have been taking to but you have gotten bad information. My two step sons joined the Military after getting their conditional green card in July, 2006. One joined the Marines in January, 2007 and the other joined the Navy in November, 2006. So you can join the Military with a conditional green card.

The Navy son applied for his citizenship in May, 2007 and took his oath and received naturalization in Septenber, 2007. The Marine son applied for citizenship in July, 2007 and has his interview in June, 2008.

The Military branch will help you file the N-400 and the N-426 applications. Under Presidental Executive order, anyone serving at least one day of active duty during periods of conflict (which we are now in) can apply for citizenship. This is an outstanding benefit for our Military members and well deserved. In fact, when you join the military with a conditional green card, they will ask you to sign a document that states you will apply for citizenship. You need citizenship to hold many security required jobs..

Good luck..