July 10, 2002

Aliens and Noncitizen Nationals Serving in US Armed Forces Granted Expedited Naturalization

On July 3, 2002, President Bush signed an executive order which grants expedited naturalization for aliens and noncitizen nationals serving in U.S. Armed Forces during the period of the war against terrorism. The order designates this period as starting September 11, 2001 and its end date will be determined by a future executive order. As such, individuals who have served honorably in active-duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States, during the stated period, are eligible for naturalization in accordance with the statutory exception to the naturalization requirements. The statutory exception to the naturalization requirements are provided in section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This provision waives some of the requirements for naturalization such as the residence requirement and the physical presence requirement.