THERE IS ONE way for an immigrant to instantly become a U.S. citizen: serve in the military during wartime.
At a ceremony at Fort Lewis, the U.S. Army base just outside Tacoma, 17 soldiers, one airman and six spouses became naturalized citizens in September, said Sharon Rummery, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
All immigrants and refugees who join the service have this opportunity during times of war, due to a federal policy, Rummery said.
But only legal immigrants may enlist.
The military permits only those with residency papers, aka green cards, or refugee status to join.
Since the United States went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, thousands of immigrants have taken advantage of the accelerated-citizenship policy.
And according to a July report in the Chicago Tribune, 116 service members in this category — immigrants on the path to U.S. citizenship — have been killed since 2001.
They were declared U.S. citizens as they were lowered into the ground.
