Can immigrants join the U.S. Army?

 

 

 

 

Yes, immigrants can join the U.S. Army if they meet certain requirements. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), immigrants who are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). However, there are some extra requirements and restrictions for non-citizens who want to enlist in the U.S. Army, such as having a valid permanent resident card (green card), living in the United States, and speaking English fluently.

 

 

Many people dream of joining the U.S. Army, but not everyone is eligible. One of the requirements to enlist in the Army is to be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (green card holder). However, this does not mean that immigrants cannot serve in the Army. In fact, immigrants have a long and proud history of serving in the U.S. armed forces, dating back to the founding of the country. In this article, we will explore how immigrants can join the U.S. Army, what benefits they can get from serving, and what challenges they may face along the way.

 

 

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1. General Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

 

The US Army is one of the branches of the US military that welcomes immigrants who want to serve their adopted country. Immigrants have a long history of fighting in the US armed forces, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Today, there are about 45,000 immigrants actively serving in the military, and more than 148,000 have earned citizenship through their service in the last 20 years.

 

 

If you are an immigrant who wants to join the US Army, you need to meet some basic requirements, such as age, education, ASVAB score, physical and medical standards, and legal status. Here are some details about each requirement:

 

 

1) Age

 

 

You must be at least 17 years old with parental consent or 18 years old without parental consent. You cannot be older than 34 years old.

 

 

2) Education

 

 

You must have a high school diploma or a GED. Having a GED may require you to score higher on the ASVAB test and limit your job options.

 

 

3) ASVAB

 

 

You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and score at least a 31 if you have a high school diploma or a 50 if you have a GED. The ASVAB test measures your knowledge and skills in 10 different areas and helps the Army determine which jobs you are qualified for.

 

 

4) Physical and Medical

 

 

You must pass a physical and medical examination that includes height and weight measurements, hearing and vision tests, urine test, drug test, alcohol test, basic physical exam, and possibly other specialized tests. The Army requires men to be between 5'0" and 6'8" and women to be between 4'10" and 6'8". You must also meet certain fitness standards and be free of any medical conditions that could interfere with your service.

 

 

5) Legal Status

 

 

You must have a current and valid permanent resident card (green card) and be living in the United States. You must also be able to speak, read, and write English fluently. You cannot join the Army if you are an undocumented immigrant or have a temporary visa.

 

 

If you meet these requirements, you can contact a recruiter who will guide you through the enlistment process. You will need to provide documents such as your birth certificate, green card, passport, social security card, transcripts, and other records. You will also need to take an oath of enlistment and sign a contract that specifies your length of service, pay grade, bonuses, and job assignment.

 

 

One of the benefits of joining the Army as an immigrant is that you can apply for expedited citizenship after completing one year of honorable service during peacetime or immediately if serving during a period of hostility. The Army will help you with the paperwork and fees for naturalization. You will also enjoy other benefits such as pay, insurance, retirement, education assistance, training, and career opportunities.

 

 

 

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program who can apply and how to apply.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program who can apply and how to apply.

 

 

 

2. Requirements for Non-Citizens Who Want to Join the US Army

 

 

 

 

 

 

The US Army is one of the branches of the US military that welcomes immigrants who want to serve their adopted country. Immigrants have a long history of fighting in the US armed forces, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Today, there are about 45,000 immigrants actively serving in the military, and more than 148,000 have earned citizenship through their service in the last 20 years.

 

 

If you are an immigrant who wants to join the US Army, you need to meet some basic requirements, such as age, education, ASVAB score, physical and medical standards. However, you also need to meet some additional requirements and restrictions that apply only to non-citizens. Here are some details about these requirements:

 

 

1) Background Check

 

 

You must undergo a thorough background check and security screening before you can enlist. This may include fingerprinting, interviews, and verification of your immigration status and history. You may also have to wait longer than citizens to get your security clearance.

 

 

2) Citizenship

 

 

You must apply for expedited citizenship after completing one year of honorable service during peacetime or immediately if serving during a period of hostility. The Army will help you with the paperwork and fees for naturalization. However, you cannot become an officer or hold certain jobs that require citizenship until you are naturalized.

 

 

If you meet these requirements, you can contact a recruiter who will guide you through the enlistment process. You will need to provide documents such as your birth certificate, green card, passport, social security card, transcripts, and other records. You will also need to take an oath of enlistment and sign a contract that specifies your length of service, pay grade, bonuses, and job assignment.

 

 

 

 

3. Naturalization Process: How Immigrants Can Become US Citizens Through Military Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

The US military is one of the branches of the US government that offers a special pathway to citizenship for immigrants who serve their adopted country. Immigrants who serve in the US armed forces can apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that waive some of the requirements and fees for citizenship.

 

 

There are two main ways that immigrants can become US citizens through military service: one year of service at any time, or service during periods of hostility.

 

 

1) One Year of Service at Any Time

 

Immigrants who have served honorably in the US armed forces for at least one year at any time, whether during peacetime or wartime, can apply for naturalization under section 328 of the INA. They must meet the following requirements:

 

- Be at least 18 years old

- Have a current and valid permanent resident card (green card)

- Have good moral character

- Have knowledge of English and US history and government

- Have continuous residence and physical presence in the US for at least five years before applying (or three years if married to a US citizen)

- Be willing to support and defend the US and its Constitution

 

 

Immigrants who meet these requirements can file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. They must also submit Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, which verifies their military service. They do not have to pay any fees for their application or biometrics. They must also take an oath of allegiance to the US.

 

 

2) Service During Periods of Hostility

 

 

Immigrants who have served honorably in the US armed forces during designated periods of hostility can apply for naturalization under section 329 of the INA. They do not need to have a green card or meet any residence or physical presence requirements. They must meet the following requirements:

 

- Have served honorably in an active-duty status or in any Reserve Component (such as the Army Reserve or National Guard) during a designated period of hostility

- Have good moral character

- Have knowledge of English and US history and government

- Be willing to support and defend the US and its Constitution

 

 

The designated periods of hostility are:

 

- April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918 (World War I)

- September 1, 1939 to December 31, 1946 (World War II)

- June 25, 1950 to July 1, 1955 (Korean War)

- February 28, 1961 to October 15, 1978 (Vietnam War)

- August 2, 1990 to April 11, 1991 (Persian Gulf War)

- September 11, 2001 until now (War on Terrorism)

 

 

Immigrants who meet these requirements can file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. They must also submit Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, which verifies their military service. They do not have to pay any fees for their application or biometrics. They must also take an oath of allegiance to the US.

 

 

Immigrants who serve in the US armed forces during a period of hostility can apply for naturalization as soon as they enlist or are called to active duty. They can also apply after they are discharged or separated from service, as long as they do so within six months of their discharge or separation.

 

 

Immigrants who serve in the US armed forces can also apply for naturalization for their spouses and children under certain conditions. For more information, visit https://www.uscis.gov/military/citizenship-and-adjustment-of-status-for-family-members.

 

 

 

 

4. Challenges and Opportunities

 

 

Immigrants have a long history of serving in the U.S. Army and contributing to the national defense and security of the country. However, they also face some unique challenges and opportunities in their military careers, such as policy changes, cultural diversity, career advancement, and naturalization.

 

 

1) Policy changes

 

 

Immigrants who want to enlist in the U.S. Army must have a legal immigration status, such as lawful permanent resident (LPR), temporary protected status (TPS), or certain humanitarian visas. However, these statuses may change due to political or legal factors, affecting their eligibility to join or remain in the military.

 

 

For example, in 2017, the Trump administration implemented new rules that delayed the naturalization process for immigrant service members by requiring them to serve at least six months and complete additional background checks before they could apply for citizenship. This policy was later overturned by a federal judge in 2020, but it caused a significant drop in naturalization rates for service members during that period. Another example is the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, which allowed certain immigrants with critical skills or languages to enlist and gain expedited citizenship. The program was suspended in 2016 due to security concerns and has not been resumed since then.

 

 

2) Cultural diversity

 

Immigrants bring a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and perspectives to the U.S. Army, which can enhance its mission readiness and effectiveness. Immigrants can also help bridge cultural gaps and foster mutual understanding with allies and partners around the world. However, they may also face some cultural barriers or discrimination within the military, such as language difficulties, stereotypes, or prejudice. Immigrants may need to balance their loyalty to their country of origin and their country of service, and deal with the potential conflicts or tensions that may arise from their dual identity.

 

 

3) Career advancement

 

Immigrants have many opportunities to advance their careers in the U.S. Army, such as gaining valuable skills, education, training, and leadership experience. Immigrants can also benefit from various programs and resources that support their professional development and transition to civilian life, such as tuition assistance, mentoring, counseling, and veterans benefits. However, they may also encounter some obstacles or limitations in their career progression, such as eligibility requirements for certain positions or ranks that may favor U.S. citizens over noncitizens, or lack of recognition or promotion for their achievements or contributions.

 

 

4) Naturalization

 

 

Immigrants who serve in the U.S. Army can obtain U.S. citizenship through a special provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that allows them to apply for naturalization after one year of honorable service during peacetime or immediately if serving during designated periods of hostility. Naturalization can provide many benefits for immigrants and their families, such as voting rights, access to federal jobs, protection from deportation, and ability to sponsor relatives for immigration. However, naturalization is not automatic or guaranteed for immigrant service members; they still have to meet certain requirements and follow certain procedures to apply for citizenship, such as passing an English test and a civics test, taking an oath of allegiance, and undergoing a background check and an interview.

 

 

 

 

5. Conclusion

 

 

In conclusion, immigrants can join the U.S. Army if they meet certain requirements such as having a green card, living in the U.S., and speaking English fluently. Immigrants who join the U.S. Army may face some challenges such as additional background checks and possible deportation, but they may also enjoy some opportunities such as expedited citizenship, various benefits, and cultural diversity. Immigrants who are interested in joining the U.S. Army can find more information and resources on the following websites:

 

- Join the Military | USAGov

- Military | USCIS

 

 

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