Noncitizens in the U.S. Military - Navigating National Security Concerns and Recruitment Needs

Abstract

Foreign nationals have served in the U.S. military throughout American history. Indeed, in many chapters in U.S. history, they have been encouraged to serve with the promise of expedited avenues for naturalization. However, in recent years, noncitizens have faced increasing hurdles to serving their new country. Citing national security concerns, Congress and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) have introduced a series of policies that significantly increase the vetting requirements for noncitizen military recruits and modify the processes by which they are trained and given a chance to naturalize. These new policies have limited the enlistment of noncitizen soldiers, delayed their training and naturalization, and inhibited them from fully contributing in-demand skills to the U.S. military.

Keywords: Employment & the economy, Sectoral Employment, skills, immigrant integration, Citizenship& Civiv Engagement, Immigration Policy & Law, Integration policy, noncitizen, military service, military