Washington, DC - Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) declared a victory for America's immigrant soldiers serving in the United States armed services.  On November 7, 2003, the House of Representatives approved the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act (HR 1588) which included provisions to recognize the enormous contributions of non-citizens to our military by removing bureaucratic barriers to their applications for U.S. citizenship. 
 
"There are thousands of non-citizens serving in uniform, including about 5,000 in Iraq," said Towns, who has served in the U.S. Army.  "These young men and women volunteer to defend their adopted country, risking their lives for our freedom.  We should make sure that their request for U.S. citizenship is expedited so they come home not only as only American heroes, but also as American citizens."

In September, Towns supported a motion that urged House and Senate negotiators of the defense bill to adopt a provision included in the Senate version that would expedite the citizenship process for legal permanent residents in the U.S. military and to provide their families with additional protections.  With Towns's support, the House of Representatives passed the motion to by a vote of 298 to 118.  The final defense bill approved last week retained these provisions. 

"I am pleased that the immigration provisions were included in the final DOD conference report," said Towns "It is probably the best honor we can give to all of the courageous legal immigrants serving our country.  Given their sacrifice, this is the least we could do."

The conference report includes provisions that reduces the waiting period for citizenship from three years to one, waives naturalization fees, allow overseas naturalization proceedings for active duty personnel, and treats the spouse, child or parent of a lawful permanent resident granted posthumous citizenship as a valid petitioner for immediate "family status" under U.S. immigration laws. 

Applicants for citizenship must still meet all substantive naturalization requirements.

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