Sailor's long voyage leads to U.S. citizenship

  • Published
  • By Maranda Rimes
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (USAFENS) --  On April 20, a sailor from the Naval Air Facility here became the first service member to gain U.S. citizenship while stationed in England.

Petty Officer 1st Class Benedict Delosreyes became a U.S. citizen under the recently revised U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act, with revisions that simplify the naturalization process for qualified military members choosing to apply for American citizenship.

“Petty Officer Delosreyes’ road to becoming a U.S. citizen has been a long one,” said Chief Petty Officer Charles Zwierzynski, supply officer.

Originally from the Philippines, Petty Officer Delosreyes joined the U.S. Navy in January 1992.

During that time, the United States allowed between 500 and 600 Filipino citizens to join the service when United States still operated out of the the Subic Bay U.S. naval base, Philippines.

Petty Officer Delosreyes initially submitted a citizenship application package in November 2003, while at his previous station. Unfortunately, that package was returned to him for an additional $130 to cover the processing fee.

When he arrived here in October 2004, Petty Officer Delosreyes worked with Chief Petty Officer Zwierzynski to resubmit his package.

In November, the package was complete, and the recent INA revisions meant the application fee was completely waived .

The INA revisions provide service members seeking U.S. citizenship, who have served honorably, expedited citizenship processing.

Section 329 of the INA outlines qualifications for service members who have served during authorized periods of conflict. The president signed an Executive Order identifying Sept. 11, 2001, and thereafter as an authorized period of conflict.

The U.S. Embassy in London contacted Chief Petty Officer Zwierzynski in March to let him know Petty Officer Delosreyes could begin taking the final steps toward citizenship.

On April 20, Petty Officer Delosreyes passed an exam and an interview with an immigration officer, recited the oath of allegiance, and became a U.S. citizen.

“I joined the United States Navy because of all of the opportunities it had to offer,” said Petty Officer Delosreyes.

“Now that I am a United States citizen, many new jobs within my career field will be available to me. I am happy to finally complete the process, and I hope others take advantage of the new expedited program,” he said.

As a United States citizen, Petty Officer Delosreyes will now be able to obtain secret clearance status, stand as command duty officer and transport registered mail.

“We have a small operation here, and it will be a big help for Petty Officer 1st Class Delosreyes to have the authorizations allowed to United States citizens in his career field,” said Chief Zwierzynski.

Military members who have served honorably for a total of one or more years and those who are lawful permanent U.S. residents qualify for the revised INA. Service members who are separating from the military must apply within six months of their separation date.

“The Expedited Citizenship for Active Duty Military Members Program now makes it possible for active-duty service members to become United States citizens while serving outside of the United States, and they used to have to be on U.S. soil to do this,” said Karen FitzGerald, Immigration Attaché representing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, American Embassy.

“Petty Officer Delosreyes is the first service member to become a United States citizen while stationed in the United Kingdom, this is a significant event,” she said.

Additional requirements for citizenship include: Demonstrating good moral character, knowledge of the English language, knowledge of the U.S. government and history, and attachment to the United States by taking an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution.

“I think it is excellent that Petty Officer Delosreyes accomplished his goal of becoming an American citizen,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Dorian L. Tolbert, aviation structural mechanic. “It shows that yet another person believes in America and is willing to support and defend her.

(Naturalization information courtesy of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)