H.R. 2884 would assist members of the Armed Forces in obtaining United States citizenship.
Detailed Summary
Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to use the fingerprints provided by an individual at the time of military enlistment to satisfy any naturalization fingerprint requirements if: (1) the individual may be naturalized under the Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) the individual was fingerprinted in accordance with Department of Defense (DOD) requirements; (3) the individual submits a naturalization application within 24 months of enlistment; and (4) the Secretary determines that the fingerprints are sufficient to adjudicate the naturalization application.
Directs the Secretary to inform military naturalization applicants of their choice to provide new fingerprints if such submission would result in more timely and effective naturalization adjudication.
Provides for cooperation between the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense to determine an appropriate fingerprint format.
Directs the Secretary to update Department of Homeland Security (DHS) websites within 30 days of any change in naturalization law or regulation affecting members of the Armed Forces.
Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) report to the congressional defense and judiciary committees on the naturalization application process for members of the Armed Forces; and (2) conduct a study of this Act's implementation by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 11/8/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Francisco G paez
November 12, 2007, 12:27pm (report abuse)There are several bills that have been introduced with the same name! The problem is that the bill addresses but one facet of the naturalization process for persons seeking to naturalize while in the military- the technicality of the fingerprints having to be current. Please remember that the FBI name check also has to be current! The naturalization process would be infinitely easier if all applicants applied directly to the FBI to get both their fingerprint and name check clearance prior to filing any application with USCIS, the Department of Labor or a State agency, such as drivers license bureau.
RJM
December 11, 2007, 12:31am (report abuse)I served with Kendell and was angry when he died. Fingerprints are no excuse for an amazing person to lose their life. If the fingerprints were available anywhere else, they should have been used considering the fact he was in Iraq. Instead they send him on a convoy to another base to get fingerprints and he and another soldier didn't make it back.