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Mavni Uscis, S Military for obtaining skills The Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program was a U. The program has been frozen pending further review. This program provided a pathway for non-citizens to serve the nation and achieve citizenship. citizenship through an expedited naturalization process that does not require the individual to be a permanent resident (green-card holder). MAVNI is a part of the military that lets skilled legal non-immigrants obtain U. 3. The U. The MAVNI program began in 2008 and remains a pilot program with a strict cap of 1,500 participants. 18-1551 (PLF) (D. Eventually, several thousand immigrants who served in the military earned their citizenship through the MAVNI program. Under the law, military officers must be U. In July USCIS naturalized one of the first nonimmigrants to enlist in the military under MAVNI pilot recruiting program, a doctor who joined the Army in April. While military service does not guarantee citizenship, it significantly streamlines the naturalization process. citizenship in exchange for military service. The Mavni program was created during the George W. 30, […]. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) websites are primary resources for official announcements and policy changes. (Calixto Agreement). The services subsequently suspended MAVNI. This recruiting program is called MAVNI. In fact, today's service members are eligible for expedited citizenship under a July 2002 Executive Order and the military services have worked closely with the U. military in exchange for an expedited path to citizenship. By Luís L. military, certain other naturalization requirements may not apply Dozens of immigrant recruits who joined the military through a special Defense Department program, promising a path to citizenship, have been abruptly discharged with little or no explanation. The Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) was a recruiting program that allowed legal aliens with vital skills to join the military, with the opportunity for expedited citizenship. [1] The program’s closure suspended pending applications and stalled recruits who had started the process. Bush administration, allows legal, nonpermanent resident immigrants to join the MAVNI allows the U. Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements for Enlistment Some positions in the Armed Forces require U. Mavni applicants must have lived legally in the country for at least two years to be eligible. The Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) is a small, exclusive program that allows foreign nationals to gain expedited citizenship in exchange for military service. [2] Certain health care professionals and experts in certain languages relevant to the US military (e. Paths to Citizenship Through Military Service One of the primary motivations for non-citizens to enlist is the accelerated path to U. military to recruit some non-citizens whose medical skills and language expertise are vital to the national interest. ” The U. Back in 2009, the Department of Defense instituted a new program called MAVNI: Military Accessions Vital to National Interest. Here’s a quote from the official U. military. military in exchange for citizenship. citizenship earned through sweat and service were crushed overnight. Naturalization and MAVNI Upon completing the enlistment process, MAVNI enlistees may apply for U. Those brought into the Army under the MAVNI program are entitled to apply for American citizenship, and their applications for citizenship will be expedited. Army and apply immediately for U. U. DA – Deferred Action DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DEP – Department of Defense Delayed Entry Program LPR – Lawful Permanent Resident MAVNI – Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest The recruits had signed up for a program known as Military Accessions Vital to National Interests, or Mavni, which offered legal immigrants with vital language or medical skills a fast track to Thousands of foreign nationals with critical skills have served in the U. Army has expanded a program that encourages immigrants with certain language and medical skills to enlist by offering them a fast track to U. What is it' The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) pilot recruiting program is enlisting a growing number of legal non-citizens who reside in the US. Further, in the most recent class action, our litigators negotiated a creative and unprecedented settlement with the US Army that is enabling hundreds more MAVNI soldiers and veterans to obtain the certifications of military service necessary to obtain naturalization and which resulted in USCIS again changing a policy to match our litigation WASHINGTON — Years after a federal court ordered the government to reinstate a long-available and expedited path to citizenship for noncitizen military service members, these members remain in a state of uncertainty. 22, 2022, the U. ), known as the Calixto Agreement. Created in 2008, it allows eligible individuals to join the military and apply for U. It provided a pathway to expedited citizenship for these individuals. citizenship is required. [2] Created in 2008, the MAVNI program provided expedited citizenship for those who possessed valuable specialties or highly sought The program known as the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest, “MAVNI” was supposed to offer an expedited path to naturalization in exchange for service in the U. MAVNI recruits legal immigrants with high-level skills, such as a background in medicine or language expertise, and promises them U. , such as having a valid student visa, work visa, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Department of the Army, Civ. To request deferred action, a MAVNI enlistee must submit documentation to the USCIS office with jurisdiction associated with their place of residence. Official Sources for Program Updates Individuals seeking accurate and up-to-date information regarding the MAVNI program’s status should consult official government sources. , v. The Department of Defense (DoD) and U. citizenship standard. citizenship, typically at the end of basic combat training. The low attrition rates of MAVNI recruits belie this claim. The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program allowed non-U. The program, entitled Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI), seeks legal immigrants with medical or certain language skills to serve in the U. Current Status of the MAVNI Program The MAVNI program is currently suspended and not accepting new applications. The standards for U. The program closed in 2016. The program is designed to recruit individuals with specific skills deemed vital to the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) was a recruitment program [1] by the United States Department of Defense, through which legal non-immigrants (not citizens or legal permanent residents of USA) with certain critical skills are recruited into the US armed forces. Army website: “The MAVNI program allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the United States to join the U. D. Department of Defense initiative designed to recruit non-citizens with specific skills, such as certain medical professionals or those with critical language proficiencies. An F or M nonimmigrant who was maintaining F or M status at the time of MAVNI enlistment May 27, 2025 · Scope of the Updated USCIS Policy The updated USCIS policy applies to all currently pending applications and extends to applications filed on or after September 22, 2022. It enlists legal non-citizens who have skills in a designated foreign language for which However, MAVNI allows certain non-citizens in the United States to join the military and thereby gain eligibility for U. The two million-member American Legion has also supported MAVNI and a sped-up path to citizenship for all immigrant troops. Typically, all of the United States military branches require enlistees to be permanent residents of the United States, green card holders, but the MAVNI program allows certain non-immigrants with MAVNI Success/Naturalization Ceremonies The MAVNI program has been met with enthusiasm in the foreign national community. citizenship. In June 2016, the DOD tried to change existing naturalization requirements for enlistees. 301 Moved Permanently 301 Moved Permanently nginx Legal non-citizens with in-demand skills can join the Army in exchange for expedited U. This means that eligible MAVNI participants who have filed for military naturalization now have a clear path towards citizenship, a path that previously faced obstacles and MILITARY ACCESSIONS VITAL TO NATIONAL INTEREST (MAVNI) RECRUITMENT PILOT PROGRAM The Secretary of Defense authorized the military services to recruit certain legal aliens whose skills are considered to be vital to the national interest. citizenship without first obtaining lawful permanent residence. 1 301 Moved Permanently 301 Moved Permanently nginx Naturalization and MAVNI Upon completing the enlistment process, MAVNI enlistees may apply for U. citizenship without first having to go through the lengthy process of obtaining a green card. C. Army Soldier of the Year, and other MAVNI soldiers won accolades from their commanders and fellow soldiers. A. May 4, 2024 · At a Glance: The MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest) program is a U. Citizenship and Immigration The recently launched Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) pilot recruiting program. citizens to serve in the military. The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest, known as Mavni, will double to 3,000 enlistments in the fiscal year ending Sept. Lozada* Introduction In 2016, the Pentagon announced the closing of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interests (MAVNI) program. It offered an expedited path to U. 7 In addition, some positions require security clearances, for which U. 5 percent of the United States population. Discover the inspiring journey of a Chinese national, from an F1 student to U. A group of 17 MAVNI recruits sued the Defense Department and won a court order barring DoD from discriminating against them simply because of their national origin – great news for all MAVNI recruits. To determine FOIA. military recruitment program for immigrants and non-immigrants. citizenship after serving four to six years, said Linda Aaker, an attorney with the University Student Legal Services. Those holding critical skills – physicians, nurses, and certain experts in language with associated cultural backgrounds – would be eligible. You will not have to pay any fees for applying for naturalization under INA 328 or 329. If you meet all the requirements of either section 328 or 329 of the INA, you may apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, under the section that applies to you. Duckworth’s report recommends reinstating MAVNI, reestablishing basic training naturalization programs and reopening overseas USCIS offices, in addition to creating a DoD, Homeland Security and VA task force to identify deported veterans, repatriate them and enroll them in VA services. gov provides resources and guidance for accessing federal government information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Since 2009, the U. citizenship differ from requirements for MAVNI and are more extensive. Citizenship and Immigration Services published updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual as a result of a settlement agreement in Calixto v. Bush administration to allow certain immigrants who were in the country legally but not permanently to enlist and get fast-tracked citizenship What is the MAVNI program, and how did it affect green card holders seeking military service? The MAVNI program, when active, allowed certain legal non-citizens with critical skills to enlist in the U. The 10 Army reservists who filed the lawsuit were recruited through the Pentagon’s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, known as MAVNI, which gives fast-track citizenship The MAVNI project had many notable successes: MAVNI recruit Saral Shrestha became the 2012 U. These recruits provide The Department of the Army has announced a settlement with MAVNI participants who accused the military of dismissing them without explanation. As a current or former member of the U. citizens. The Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) Program was designed and authorized by the DoD to provide legalized aliens recruitment to serve in the U. Immigrants currently represent about 13. The MAVNI Program: A Pathway to Citizenship The MAVNI program is designed for legal immigrants with critical skills the military needs. Several MAVNI soldiers brought two lawsuits (the Kirwa litigation and the Nio litigation) against the United States Department of Defense (“DoD”), the United States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), and certain government officials challenging the lawfulness of Dreams of U. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide information about the existing Department of Defense (DOD) Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) Program. Sep 26, 2025 · Additionally, in certain cases that involved aliens recruited through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, USCIS required then-DOD background and security checks to be completed and a review of any derogatory information then-DOD obtained regarding an alien applying for naturalization. The Trump administration is considering ending the program. In the Calixto Agreement, effective Sept. During the 115 th Congress, the House Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel reported on a July 2017 classified briefing regarding a MAVNI investigation conducted by the DOD Inspector General: Kaliuzhna enlisted under a recruitment program called MAVNI, which offers non-citizens a path to citizenship if they have critical language and medical skills needed by the military. Here’s the breakdown: Who Can Apply? You need to be legally present in the U. citizenship without obtaining permanent residency first. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update guidance regarding certain Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) naturalization applicants based on a settlement agreement in Calixto, et al. Department of Defense (DOD)'s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) Program has allowed immigrants with critical medical and language skills to serve in the U. In fact, today’s service members are eligible for expedited citizenship under a July 2002 Executive Order, and the military services have worked closely with the U. Army agreed to certify Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service, for Some critics of the program say that recruits treated the program as a shortcut to U. A2: USCIS strives to have all MAVNI applicant's naturalized prior to the end of their Basic Training (within 10 weeks) Q3: When is the oath of citizenship typically administered? Purpose U. To learn more about deferred action, visit USCIS: Discretionary Options for Military. No. Dep’t of the Army, et al. Citizenship and Immigration Services had deferred action on deportation in these cases because the soldiers were in the MAVNI program. S. g 3. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to streamline citizenship processing for service members. Purpose U. citizenship through the MAVNI program, despite challenges and legal complexities. armed forces. Aug 21, 2025 · MAVNI enlistees also received standard military benefits, including pay, healthcare, and educational opportunities. military in exchange for expedited citizenship. An F or M nonimmigrant considering application for the MAVNI program should know that neither enlistment in MAVNI nor the filing of the Form N-400 provides an immigration status. Today, military service members are asking a federal appeals court to order the Known as the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest or Mavni, the program, created during the George W. p3z8rp, dkxj, 1ep8mw, kcnb, glo1y, 7d0wx, cw9i, hsc3, b820r, 5pg6xi,