Speech #890198714

I strongly feel that a man or woman wearing the American uniform and engaged in the defense of this country should have the opportunity of immediately becoming an American citizen if that is his desire. I. therefore. join with the distinguished gentleman from New York. the Honorable JOHN J. ROONEY. by today introducing legislation to provide means for the expeditious naturalization of aliens who have lawfully been admitted to the United States as immigrants or subsequently become permanent residents and who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the period beginning January 1. 1963. Before introducing this legislation I carefully considered the appropriateness of a commencing date. I note that on February 12. 1955. the first military advisory assistance group. approximately 800 members of the Special Forces. was sent to Vietnam. on December 14. 1961. our late. great President Kennedy pledged increased aid to Vietnam. on August 14. 1964. the first air strikes were levied against North Vietnam. and on March 6. 1965. ground combat elements landed in Vietnam as a part of a buildup of U.S. forces. In weighing these dates I concluded that January 1. 1963. was the most feasible In view of the designed purpose of this legislation. Additionally. I also weighed a requirement. as a condition precedent to expeditious naturalization. that a member of the armed services had to have served in Vietnam or perhaps in another overseas post. However. since every unit. wherever stationed in the United States. may be sent overseas. I felt that the most equitable approach would be to bestow naturalization benefits on every person who entered the U.S. military forces while in the United States or Its possessions. This legislation is similar to legislation enacted on March 27. 1942. which enabled aliens serving honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II to qualify for naturalization. On June 30. 1953. the President signed the next legislation which affected military persons and naturalization. This was an act to provide for the naturalization of persons who had served in the Armed Forces of the United States after June 24. 1950. and not later than July 1. 1955. honorably. in an active duty status. for a period or periods totaling not less than 90 days and who had been physically present in the United States for a period of at least 1 year prior to entering the armed services. This legislation was designed to bestow naturalization benefits on aliens serving during the Korean conflict. The hostilities in Korea opened on June 25. 1950. and the termination date of June 30. 1955. was selected inasmuch as that was the date of the expiration of the authority for induction under the amended Selective Service Act. There is provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act for naturalization benefits. section 328. for aliens who serve honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States for an aggregate period of 3 years following lawful admission for permanent residence. There is also provision for aliens who served honorably in World War I. World War II. or the Korean conflict. section 329. and who failed to seek the benefits available to them under former legislation. but no specific provision is contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act for aliens who have served or are serving honorably during the period of the Vietnam hostilities. Many permanent resident aliens have enlisted in our Armed Forces. Many students and visitors have been inducted in accordance with our Universal Military Training and Service Act and will subsequently become permanent residents of the United States. I respectfully submit that a person who has risked his life for the United States should be honored with an opportunity for citizenship of this country expeditiously. This legislation which I have introduced does not waive basic requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to good moral character. attachment to the principles of the Constitution. and understanding of the English language. It contemplates benefits only for the alien who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and who has served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States. Those aliens who are separated from military service on account of alienage or those who are conscientious objectors who performed no military. air. or naval duty whatever. or refused to wear the uniform shall not be regarded as having served honorably or as having been separated under honorable conditions.