Eisenhower Kicks Off Naturalization Campaign

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Amy Kirk, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

April 19, 2010 - USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) kicked off its 2010 Military Member Advantage Naturalization Campaign (MMANC) April 18 during a ceremony held on the ship's aft mess decks.

Military members enjoy a number of advantages in obtaining U.S. citizenship while serving on active duty, said Legalman 2nd Class Sophia Davis, including a reduction or elimination of certain waiting periods, a waiver of certain physical presence requirements and the elimination of certain fees.

To allow Sailors the opportunity to take advantage of these special processes, Eisenhower's Legal Department is hosting the campaign April 18- May 18 to encourage and assist Sailors in applying for U.S. citizenship, said Davis.

"This is a fantastic benefit for our service members," said Lt. Cmdr. Marcus Fulton, Eisenhower's judge advocate general. "It recognizes the contributions of our non-citizens and the service they give to this country. I hope everyone eligible will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to become citizens of the country they help protect."

Under changes in immigration law in 2002, foreign citizens who become permanent U.S. residents and join the military need only one year of service to qualify for citizenship. During wartime, they need only one day of service to qualify. Without serving, foreign residents must wait five years before they become eligible.

"The goal of the campaign will be to identify every non-U.S. citizen service member, to directly contact them, and to explain the special processes available to them while deployed," said Davis. "The Legal department will prepare naturalization packages for all service members who wish to obtain U.S. citizenship.

A native of Nigeria, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (ABE)(Equipment) 3rd Class Emmanuel Motosho said he could not believe how simple the process was to become a U.S. citizen.

"I had people telling me it was going to take years and years," said Motosho, who became a U.S. citizen aboard Eisenhower in December 2008. "The process was not hard a little paper and getting a photo. It's worth the time. I am proud to be an ABE; I am proud to be a Sailor and proud to be an American citizen."

Commanding Officer Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne said the ship's legal team is dedicated to helping those wish to become U.S. citizens achieve that goal.

There are many benefits to a becoming a U.S. citizen including the right to vote, jury service, and employment with government agencies.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, www.uscis.gov, one of the biggest benefits is U.S. citizens receive priority when petitioning to bring family members permanently to the United States. For example, a U.S. citizen may sponsor their spouse, and except for a brief processing time of a few months, he or she immediately obtains permanent residence status. The same is true for minor children of citizens (younger than 21), and parents of adult citizens.

Sailors interested in beginning the naturalization process or have questions about how the process works, should visit the command's legal office.

Eisenhower is underway as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR). Operations in the 5th Fleet AOR are focused on reassuring regional partners of the coalition's commitment to help set conditions for security and stability. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.