The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program was designed to recruit non-citizens with critical foreign language or medical skills to serve in the U.S. military. The program provided a path to citizenship for those who completed their service. However, as of 2017, the MAVNI program is no longer accepting new applications.
One of the primary reasons for the suspension of the program was due to concerns about the vetting process for MAVNI applicants. There were concerns about the background checks and security clearances of the program participants. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) decided to review the MAVNI program and suspend it indefinitely while the review was being conducted.
After the review, the DOD decided to terminate the MAVNI program entirely in 2018. This means that no new recruits would be accepted under the MAVNI program. Undocumented individuals are not eligible to join the U.S. military.
However, there are other paths to citizenship available for immigrants who are willing to serve in the U.S. military. One such path is the Military Accessions Program (MAP) for Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs). LPRs are eligible to join the U.S. military and can earn citizenship through their service. The Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative is another path to citizenship that allows eligible non-citizen service members to naturalize during basic training.
It is important to note that the process of enlisting in the U.S. military can be complex and requires specialized legal guidance. An experienced immigration attorney can help guide you through the process of enlisting in the military and seeking citizenship through service.
In conclusion, the MAVNI program is no longer available for immigration purposes. However, there are other options available for immigrants who are interested in serving in the U.S. military and earning citizenship through their service.
The Military Accessions Program for Legal Permanent Residents and the Naturalization at Basic Training Initiative are two paths to citizenship that remain available. If you are an immigrant interested in joining the U.S. military, it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can help guide you through the process and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.