Military Naturalizations: USCIS Generally Met Mandated Processing Deadlines, but Processing Applicants Deployed Overseas Is a Challenge

Abstract

From September 2001 to March 2009, approximately 47,000 noncitizen members of the U.S. military became naturalized U.S. citizens. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have taken steps to assist noncitizens with applying for naturalization. The Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act (Kendell Frederick Act) and the Military Personnel Citizenship Processing Act (MPCPA), enacted in 2008 to expedite application processing, each directed GAO to report on implementation of the acts. This report addresses (1) the extent to which USCIS met the processing deadlines established in the acts and (2) actions USCIS has taken to expedite the processing of applications, and any challenges it has faced. GAO reviewed relevant legislation and DHS reports and guidance related to processing applications; reviewed several generalizable samples of applicants' case files (A-files); and interviewed USCIS officials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA525424

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

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  • Human Systems
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  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Active Duty
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • House Of Representatives
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Statistical Samples
  • United States
  • United States Government
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