Military naturalizations
Subtitle: USCIS generally met mandated processing deadlines, but processing applicants deployed overseas Is a challenge : report to congressional committees
Contributors: Stana, Richard M.
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 45
Subjects: Rules and practice; Evaluation; Naturalization; Soldiers; Legal status, laws; Emigration and immigration law; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Other titles: Military naturalizations :; USCIS generally met mandated processing deadlines, but processing applicants deployed overseas Is a challenge
Description: 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. GAO recommends that the USCIS Director ensure that available deployment information is collected from all applicants when they file the application; case files document that applicants were notified of processing delays and provided an estimated adjudication date; and case files document actions taken when a case is administratively closed or denied. DHS concurred with GAOs recommendations.
Notes: Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed July 30, 2010).

"July 2010."

"GAO-10-865."

Includes bibliographical references.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

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