TITLE II:IMMIGRANT VISAS

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§ 2555 : TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PERSONS AS HAVING SATISFIED ENGLISH AND CIVICS, GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, AND HONORABLE SERVICE AND DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURALIZATION..


a.

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.—The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by inserting after section 329A (8 U.S.C. 1440–1) the following new section:

SEC. 329B. PERSONS WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR ENGAGEMENT IN ACTIVE COMBAT OR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMBAT.

a.

IN GENERAL.—

1.

IN GENERAL.—For purposes of naturalization and continuing citizenship under the following provisions of law, a person who has received an award described in subsection (b) shall be treated—

A.

as having satisfied the requirements in sections 312(a), 316(a)(3), and subsections (b)(3), (c), and (e) of section 328; and

B.

except as provided in paragraph (2), under sections 328 and 329, as having served honorably in the Armed Forces for (in the case of section 328) a period or periods aggregating one year, and, if separated from such service, as having been separated under honorable conditions.

2.

REVOCATION.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), any person who separated from the Armed Forces under other than honorable conditions may be subject to revocation of citizenship under section 328(f) or 329(c) if the other requirements of such section are met.

b.

APPLICATION.—This section shall apply with respect to the following awards from the Armed Forces of the United States:

1.

The Combat Infantryman Badge from the Army.

2.

The Combat Medical Badge from the Army.

3.

The Combat Action Badge from the Army.

4.

The Combat Action Ribbon from the Navy, the Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard.

5.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal.

6.

Any other award that the Secretary of Defense determines to be an equivalent award for engagement in active combat or active participation in combat.

b.

CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 329A the following:Sec. 329B. Persons who have received an award for engagement in active combat or active participation in combat..