December 11, 2008

Defense Department Authorizes Military Recruitment of Nonimmigrants

The U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) has authorized a pilot program permitting the military services to recruit and enlist certain non-citizen individuals legally present in the U.S. who possess health care and linguistic skills deemed vital to the national interest. The program offers the option of military service to qualifying asylees, refugees, TPS holders, and nonimmigrants in a variety of visa categories including H, E, F, J, L, R, and TN. This program, called the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest Recruitment Pilot, or MAVNI, permits recruitment for a period of up to 12 months of 1,000 individuals who meet certain eligibility and enlistment period requirements. All applicants must have been in a valid status for at least two years immediately prior to enlistment and nonimmigrants must not have a single absence from the U.S. for more than 90 days in the two year period immediately preceding enlistment. Further details can be found in the DOD’s news release.