To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt members of the Armed Forces from naturalization requirements relating to English language, knowledge of government, good moral character, and period of service.

September 27, 2005

Mr. GERLACH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt members of the Armed Forces from naturalization requirements relating to English language, knowledge of government, good moral character, and period of service.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. EXEMPTION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES FROM CERTAIN NATURALIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

(a) English Language, Knowledge of Government, and Good Moral Character- Section 328(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (3), by striking `and' at the end;

(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(5) the requirements of sections 312(a) and 316(a)(3) shall not apply.'.

(b) Period of Service- Section 328(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1439) is amended--

(1) by striking `for a period or periods aggregating one year,'; and

(2) by striking `within six months' and inserting `at any time'.

(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply to applications for naturalization filed on, before, or after such date.

END