U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be recognizing the contributions of veterans, active military and military spouses during 40 naturalization ceremonies taking place across the country between now and Nov. 14, 2014, for more than 3,000 new citizens. Over the last 12 years, USCIS has naturalized over 102,000 service members – many of them on an expedited basis.

Current members of U.S. armed forces and recently discharged members are eligible for expedited processing of U.S. naturalization applications pursuant to special provisions contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Specifically, expedited processing is generally available for members of the following branches of U.S. armed forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, certain sections of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve. Military spouses of active service members who are or will be deployed may also be eligible for expedited naturalization. Under certain circumstances some spouses may be eligible to gain U.S. naturalization abroad.Continue Reading Veterans Honored by USCIS During Naturalization Ceremonies