Selective Service System

[MonkeyArtic 1]

Hey guys,

I got my greencard january 2010 and somebody just told me i HAVE to register with the "selective service system". im 23 and already did a year of obligatory military in austria (my home country). please help! thanks!

[Otto 83]

You're still obligated to register with selective service. It's a simple process.

[MonkeyArtic 1]

You're still obligated to register with selective service. It's a simple process.

wow...this is beyond random but i literally JUST got my registration card in the mail. how is that possible? i haven't even registered!?

[Bernie C 24]

Visit the Selective Service System Website and read through the FAQ's

As noted below - even illegal alien males are required to register I wonder how often that happens

Below are a few itmes I copied from the SSS website.

CITIZENSHIP

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) makes registration with Selective Service a condition for U.S. citizenship if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday.

Are illegal alien males required to register?

Yes. All immigrant alien males, other than those admitted on nonimmigrant visas, must register, whether or not they have a green card.

[milimelo 4,736]

wow...this is beyond random but i literally JUST got my registration card in the mail. how is that possible? i haven't even registered!?

Strike that - I thought it was connected to SSA and SSN but it looks like USCIS does it.

Edited April 13, 2010 by milimelo

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Hey guys,

I got my greencard january 2010 and somebody just told me i HAVE to register with the "selective service system". im 23 and already did a year of obligatory military in austria (my home country). please help! thanks!

Even people that served in the Armed forces, if they leave service prior to turning 26, have to register.*

* Must register within 30 days of release unless already age 26, or already registered when released, or unless exempt during entire period age 18 through 25.

[MonkeyArtic 1]

well, it looks like they've already done it for me. weird.

[Laura & Kyle 16]

well, it looks like they've already done it for me. weird.

Kyle says he remembers somewhere on the form it asking about the selective service, and that it would sign you up for it if you have not already. I have no clue.. Kyle hasn't received a card yet regarding selective service.

[woki1986 1]

Kyle says he remembers somewhere on the form it asking about the selective service, and that it would sign you up for it if you have not already. I have no clue.. Kyle hasn't received a card yet regarding selective service.

I don't like the look of the whole Selective Service issue... I can just imagine signing the form as required and then getting Drafted... because it would just be our luck.

I find it odd how they can make an alien sign up for service, or at least, be on the roster if there's a draft, even though they aren't a US citizen...

The chances of that happening might well be rare, but, meh.

Are we exempt when we turn 26? (That's what I couldn't quite figure out and I looked at the website.)

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I don't like the look of the whole Selective Service issue... I can just imagine signing the form as required and then getting Drafted... because it would just be our luck.

I find it odd how they can make an alien sign up for service, or at least, be on the roster if there's a draft, even though they aren't a US citizen...

The chances of that happening might well be rare, but, meh.

Are we exempt when we turn 26? (That's what I couldn't quite figure out and I looked at the website.)

If you are 26 when you come to the US to live, then you do not have to register.

If your 18-25, you have to register. If you come into the US 2 months before you turn 26 (and your living in the US), you have to register. (Aliens are suppose to register within 30 days of becoming a resident)

If you don't register when you have to, you will not be able to become an USC easily.

Some states have laws tied into this, for example, A Georgia law became effective which requires men to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a state driver's license.

If you do not register prior to turning 26, if you were required to do so, you cannot register after that age, unless you can prove to them why you didn't do it.

Edited April 14, 2010 by Bobby+Umit

[woki1986 1]

If you are 26 when you come to the US to live, then you do not have to register.

If your 18-25, you have to register. If you come into the US 2 months before you turn 26 (and your living in the US), you have to register. (Aliens are suppose to register within 30 days of becoming a resident)

If you don't register when you have to, you will not be able to become an USC easily.

Some states have laws tied into this, for example, A Georgia law became effective which requires men to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a state driver's license.

If you do not register prior to turning 26, if you were required to do so, you cannot register after that age, unless you can prove to them why you didn't do it.

I was going to register, that's not a problem. But I mean, if we sign that, will we be bound to it past the age of 26. I might have to go and give it another read, it's been a bit since I looked.

Hmm. Odd rules, these. From the website under the heading: Aliens and Dual Nationals.

-An alien who has lived in the U.S. for less than one year is exempt from induction.

-A dual national whose other country of nationality has an agreement with the U.S. which specifically provides for an exemption is exempt from induction.

-[some countries have agreements with the U.S. which exempt an alien national who is a citizen of both that country and the U.S. from military service in the U.S. Armed Forces.] An alien who requests and is exempt under an agreement or bilateral treaty can never become a U.S. citizen, and may have trouble reentering the U.S. if he leaves.

-An alien who served at least a year in the military of a country with which the U.S. is involved in mutual defense activities will be exempt from military service if he is a national of a country that grants reciprocal privileges to citizens of the U.S.

However I think you still have to sign it... you'd just not have to do military service if you are called up in a Draft. It's all confusing stuff.

I just hope there isn't a bloody Draft. So yes, Bobby/Umit, looks like I'll be signing another piece of my soul away

Now, 'becoming a resident', I'm assuming that's a permanent resident, ie: After you receive your AOS/ 2 year green card. I was thinking I'd just do it when I get there, so I've done it...

[Otto 83]

But I mean, if we sign that, will we be bound to it past the age of 26.

If there ever was a draft (and that is highly, highly unlikely) - you could be drafted up into your 40's. No magic "I'm 27 so can't be drafted."

I wouldn't worry about it.

[antoneya 9]

It doesn't matter what you status is, everyone must sign up with the SSS, even USC. Although there are no laws that is forcing you to do it and no one is going to come knocking on your door.

However, if you don't do it then you will not be able to get many of the government benefits. Student Aid being the main reason most male sing up.

[Flames9_RN 359]

And if u plan to become a USA citizen, one has to do it!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

However, if you don't do it then you will not be able to get many of the government benefits. Student Aid being the main reason most male sing up.

I didn't realize how many born citizen men never did it until I worked for a college. They weren't very happy to discover the consequences when it was too late to do anything about it.

If you enter after 25 and want federal student aid, you just need to get a letter from Selective Service just saying you didn't have to register. They spelled my husband's name wrong twice on it ( ), but since the SSNs matched, the school took it.

Edited April 17, 2010 by Wacken