The US will continue a long standing policy that allows non-citizens members of the military and their families to obtain citizenship for their service.
Following a 2002 executive order signed by President George Bush, service members are eligible for expedited citizenship.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the military services have worked closely with the to streamline citizenship processing for service members.
The process is meant to recognize the sacrifices of these service members to the country during a time of national need. This grants them the opportunity to pursue early citizenship which is aimed at recognizing their contribution and sacrifice.
According to the Department of Defense, there are no plans to discontinue or modify the initiative.
President Trump has not publicly offered a definitive opinion on the immigration policy concerning noncitizens in the military.
On Sept. 7, 2016, during a presidential candidates’ forum, the president was asked by a woman who served in the military whether he thinks that a person living in the United States illegally who wants to serve in the U.S. armed forces should be allowed to stay in the country legally.
“I think when you serve in the armed forces, that’s a very special situation and I could see myself working that out, absolutely,” Trump replied.
About 5,000 legal permanent residents are recruited each year under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) Program which launched in 2009.
The average of about 19000 noncitizens on active duty from 2010 to 2016.
