Immigrant Citizenship Bill Urged

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) introduced legislation Thursday that would remove hurdles to citizenship for foreign-born legal residents now serving overseas in the military.

Citing what could be long tours of duty in the Iraq war and reconstruction, Boxer said, “We want to recognize the sacrifice these men and women are making.”

The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), would waive naturalization fees of about $300 and allow members of the armed forces to complete the citizenship process without having to return to the United States.

In Sacramento, the state Senate voted 36 to 0 to approve a resolution urging Congress to grant citizenship to all immigrants who serve honorably in the armed forces.

The author, state Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter), noted that there are 37,000 noncitizens serving in the military, and nearly one in three are Californians.

Marine Pfc. Francisco A. Martinez, a Duarte resident killed when his tank plunged into an Iraqi river, had completed all requirements for citizenship except attending a swearing-in ceremony with a federal judge. It was scheduled for January, but by then, he had shipped out to Kuwait.

“I think [the Boxer bill] would have helped him,” said Martinez’s sister, Nayeli.