Fight for the American Dream Act
Fight for the American Dream Act would expand who can enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces and modernize the path to U.S. citizenship for service members. Specifically, the bill would allow individuals who hold an employment authorization document (EAD) issued under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy to enlist. It would also overhaul naturalization rules tied to military service, moving to a framework that grants naturalization through service in the Selected Reserve or in active-duty status, and extend eligibility to people from American Samoa, Swains Island, and the freely associated states. The changes are designed to broaden the recruiting base for the military while speeding or simplifying citizenship eligibility for service members. In short, the bill connects military service more directly to citizenship, and it broadens the pool of people who can enlist by recognizing DACA work authorization and by widening the naturalization pathways for those who serve.
Key Points
- 1Expands enlistment eligibility to include people who have an employment authorization document (EAD) under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
- 2Updates 10 U.S.C. enlistment rules to include citizenship/residency exceptions related to the new eligibility, and adjusts the section heading and table of sections accordingly.
- 3Strikes current naturalization provisions tied to sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and replaces them with a reoriented framework.
- 4Renames and revises the naturalization pathway to focus on service in the Selected Reserve or in active-duty status, including clarifications about active status and separation.
- 5Extends naturalization eligibility to people from American Samoa, Swains Island, and the freely associated states, and aligns terminology with service status and the Definitions in the 10 U.S.C. framework.