I want to thank all of you for getting this bill to the floor. Finally. I want to thank the professional staff on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration for working so diligently with my staff to bring this legislation again to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker. the Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act truly is a step towards correcting and honoring our noncitizen servicemembers. many of whom continue to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is appropriate. therefore. that we consider this legislation as we approach Veterans Day. honoring all who have risked their lives to protect our own. I introduced the Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act to ensure that those who are willing to fight relentlessly on the battlefield to protect our great Nation do not have to also battle through a drawnout citizenship process. Specifically. H.R. 2884 will assist our noncitizen servicemen and -women on the road to citizenship by making the following needed adjustments: Requiring the United States Department of Homeland Security to use the fingerprints taken by the Defense Department at induction for citizen applications. Requiring noncitizen military servicemembers to submit their citizenship applications within 24 hours of enlistment. Requiring the Department of Defense and DHS to determine a single acceptable format for fingerprint submission. Requiring DHS to update appropriate application forms for naturalization. the instruction and guidebook for obtaining naturalization. and the DHS Web site when naturalization procedures pertaining to members of the Armed Forces are changed. and Ensuring efficiency and accountability to Congress by requiring the Government Accountability Office to report on DHSs training of personnel. methods and effectiveness In adjudicating applications by members of the Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker. this legislation honors the memory of a young man from my district. 21yearold Army Reserve Specialist Kendell K.
Keywords matched
naturalization noncitizen Immigration