Foreign-born vets get the surprise of a lifetime
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Ricci
Vietnam Vet Erhard Wensel with immigration attorney Elizabeth Ricci, who helped naturalize Wensel in Philadelphia in April. The 73-year-old found out he wasn’t a citizen when he filed for Social Security benefits.
There are over 640,000 foreign-born veterans alive today. Florida and California are home to the most foreign-born veterans, many of whom get the surprise of a lifetime when they attempt to collect Social Security, renew a driver license of apply for a U.S. passport and are told they are not citizens of the country they served. We talk to immigration attorney Elizabeth Ricci, who has represented several foreign-born vets to learn more.
Q: Does military service grant foreign-born service members citizenship?
A: Contrary to what many believe, service in the military does not confer citizenship. An applicant must affirmatively apply for citizenship and take a citizenship oath which is similar to, but not the same as, the military oath.