Noncitizeh Servicemembers: Do They Really Have To Die To Become U.s. Citizens?

摘要

Posthumous citizenship for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen is a wonderful feature of American immigration and naturalization law. It reflects a conviction by the American people that noncitizen servicemembers who have shed their blood for the United States should receive the final, ultimate recognition of their selfless service, and that their families should be equally honored through greater immigration and naturalization opportunities. However, a Soldier need not die on the battlefield to become a U.S. citizen. Through statutes and executive orders, the opportunity for noncitizen servicemembers to naturalize during the GWOT exists now, regardless of combat status. Honorable service in an active duty status is the key, not an honorable death. Judge Advocate personnel must continually strive to educate and inform all servicemembers and their families concerning immediate naturalization opportunities. No servicemember should ever be under the mistaken impression that they are not "good enough" to be an American or will not "truly belong" unless they die on the battlefield.