Why some US military non-citizen veterans still face deportation

A reality is gaining attention that serving the United States (US) military as a non-citizen does not grant an automatic right to obtain citizenship.

Despite their oaths of allegiance, a growing number of non-citizen veterans which may include those of Nigerian heritage, are finding themselves caught in a complex legal web that can lead to deportation.

Nigeria has been a source nation for US military naturalizations. For instance, over 3,270 Nigerian-born individuals gained US citizenship through military service between 2020 and 2024.

Over 930 gained citizenship in 2024 alone.

 

Read also:US slashes fee for Americans to give up citizenship by 80%

These veterans and service members serve across all branches, with some creating a non-profit organisation known as AVID (American Veterans of Igbo Descent) which often engages in advocacy regarding security in Nigeria.

About 60 percent of these service members served in the Army, 20.4 percent in the Navy, 10.6 percent in the Air Force, and 6.6 percent in the Marine Corps.

The myth of automatic naturalisation
While federal law provides an “expedited” path to citizenship for those in the armed forces, particularly during periods of conflict, the process is far from administrative.

Service members must still proactively apply, clear rigorous background checks, and meet specific legal requirements.

“The process is not automatic,” notes a spokesperson for US Citizenship and Immigration Services. If the paperwork is delayed, lost, or simply never filed, a veteran remains a non-citizen in the eyes of the law, regardless of their combat record or years of service.

Read also:US passes ‘SAVE Act’ requiring proof of citizenship to vote in elections

High-profile cases
Recent high-profile cases have highlighted the human cost of these legal gaps:

José Barco: An Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq. Despite his combat wounds, Barco was deported to Mexico in 2025 following a criminal conviction after his service.

Sae Joon Park: An Army veteran who served during the invasion of Panama. He was ordered to leave for South Korea in 2025 due to past drug charges, as his specific service period did not meet the statutory requirements for fast-tracked citizenship.

Godfrey Wade: A Jamaican-born veteran who has lived in the US for over 50 years. He is currently fighting deportation from an immigration detention centre in Georgia.

A systemic gap
Data suggests this is not an isolated issue. Currently, more than 40,000 non-citizens serve in the U.S. military, with an estimated 115,000 non-citizen veterans living in the country. Advocacy groups estimate that as many as 10,000 veterans may have been deported over the years.

The transition from soldier to deportee often stems from a lack of awareness. Many enlist as lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and mistakenly believe their naturalisation is handled by the military. When legal issues arise later, often linked to service-related trauma, the lack of formal citizenship leaves them vulnerable to federal immigration enforcement.

The legislative battle
The issue has sparked a fierce debate in Washington. Supporters of reform, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, argue that military service should carry decisive weight.

“We must ensure that those who wore the uniform of our nation are not abandoned by the very system they fought to defend,” Senator Duckworth has previously stated regarding legislation aimed at protecting immigrant veterans.

Proposed reforms include:
Streamlining the naturalisation process during basic training.

Allowing deported veterans to complete citizenship applications from overseas.

Creating legal pathways for certain deported veterans to return.
However, critics argue that immigration laws must be applied consistently to all non-citizens, regardless of their professional background. For now, most of these legislative efforts remain stalled, leaving thousands of veterans in a state of legal uncertainty.