USCIS Naturalizes Largest Number of Service Members Since 1955

During the 2010 fiscal year 11,146 members of the armed forces were granted citizenship by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the largest number amount in any year since 1955. The number represents a 6 percent increase in naturalizations from the 2009 fiscal year.

Outreach programs created by USCIS have been launched in order to reach more military members. They are encouraged to attend seminars that review that naturalization process and other immigration services. Attendance at the seminars often results in increased applications for naturalizations within the community. The Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative has also allowed for all processes like the interview, administration of the Oath of Allegiance and collection of biometrics to be done on the military bases. The initiative allows recruits to gain citizenship once they complete basic training. Specific information about citizenship and immigration benefits for the armed forces and their families can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/military.