PRESIDENT DESIGNATES PERIOD OF ARMED CONFLICT FOR PURPOSES OF NATURALIZATION
Immigrants' Rights Update, Web Edition, July 15, 2002

President George W. Bush has designated Sept. 11, 2001, as the beginning of a period of armed conflict between the United States and a hostile foreign force, for purposes of naturalization under Section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Under section 329, noncitizens who have served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during a designated period of military hostility may apply for and obtain naturalization without meeting certain of the normal requirements. For example, such individuals do not need to meet the residence and physical presence requirements for normal naturalization. Individuals eligible for naturalization under this special provision may naturalize even if they are in deportation proceedings or subject to a final order of deportation.

The designation was announced in an executive order published in the Federal Register. According to the order, the termination date of the period will be announced in a future executive order, but don't expect this to happen before the next presidential election.

67 Fed. Reg. 45,287 (Jul. 8, 2002).

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