Selective service

[Susie]

Hi

Federal law requires that men who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the U.S. Men with "green cards" must register. Men living in the U.S. without INS documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. Men cannot register after reaching age 26.

Non-immigrant men who are in the U.S. temporarily (diplomatic corps, trade mission personnel, men holding valid visitor or student visas, etc.) do not register.

A male non-citizen who first enters the U.S. as a permanent resident after he has already passed his 26th birthday is not required to register because he is over the age limit.

Women do not register because the law does not apply to them.

Here is a link for further info

http://www.sss.gov/inslink.htm

[JulieC]

Does anyone know about E and L dependants?? I believed they dont have to register because they do not permanently reside in the US as we are classed as non resident aliens, but that site is ambiguous.

[charliesmum]

In reading the page, it is not possible for an E2 dependant to register as you must have a valid SSN and our kids do not and we are told they will not get one. They have tax ID numbers.

Steve

[Susie]

Hi Zoe,


Wonder how undocumented aliens get a soc sec number?

Hi Julie

I think you find they do have to register but maybe you should check directly with them and ask. I am surprised undocumented aliens (illegals) have to register though



This has been taken from their web site


Federal law requires that men who are at least 18 years old, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with Selective Service. This includes all male non-citizens within these age limits who permanently reside in the U.S. Men with "green cards" must register. Men living in the U.S. without INS documentation (undocumented aliens) must also register. Men cannot register after reaching age 26.

[Kriz1]

If you don't register then you can't go for citizenship...so maybe if your sons turn 18 while here its worth making sure...illegals register so they can take citizenship if its offered...

[Ray10]

Those on non-immigrant visas do not need to register

[Kriz1]

Maybe its because they expect you never to go for citizenship...so would it make a difference if sometime in the future...your kids came back on a greencard...???

[Susie]

Hi Julie

I think Kris has a point. I would get your son to register and if they reject his application fine, at least your son is showing willing and as Kris says maybe your son gets a job offer H1B and then company petiton him for I 140 then green card.

I suppose the grey area is where they say #permanently reside in the US # as dependant children of E visa holders (Temporary visa) do not permanently reside.

This is an example of just how confusing the immigration laws are. It seems people can have so many different interpretations of them

Hi Ray,

How can a illegal immigrant permanently reside in the US? If they are caught or convicted of a crime aren't they deported, ? This does not make sence to me

[chris]

Before people all rush out and sign up their kids, just stop and think what this all about. It's about the military, it's a voluntary draft.
Sign up and you find you get into Iraq quicker.

[Sharon]

Hi Chris

This is confusing,

Yes it is a voluntary draft, but the it says Fedral Law requires registration and must register

Friends of mine have recently become USC, all were approved except the son who was 24 years old, his was refused because he did not sign up.

So son signed up and he was approved

[Ray10]

Hi Ray,
How can a illegal immigrant permanently reside in the US? If they are caught or convicted of a crime aren't they deported, ? This does not make sence to me
Because money talks...and depends on the country you are from ..they are treated differently..and of course the courts..and even the ubiquitous "political will"

You may recall a recent debacle in the UK where people released from prison were supposed to be deported but were not ... If it has not come to light ..nothing would have happened ..

Pretty much the same here except the problem is far larger and costlier..

But illegals in either country do not have a great life ..in most case ..

For 2005
168,000 were found inadmissable
90,000 criminals removed
120,000 non criminals removed

[Kriz1]

Its is a very gray area...

One that needs looking into ....there is not a draft as of yet...also my son has a few problems that keeps him out of the forces...the reason we nolonger get calls from the Army...

[chris]

I had a thought after reading this thread and after posting my earlier response. This response relates to the subject of getting a SSN. Some while ago my wife applied for a SSN (it was before they were allowed to work by DoS). The SS office said sorry you can't have one cos you're not allowed to work and in most cases an ITIN will suffice. HOWEVER, in a leaflet they sent me which explained about the issue of SSN it detailed that you are able to apply for and be issued with a SSN if a govt dept requires one and that you obtain written proof (on letterhead from that department that they require a SSN). If you provide that, they will issue a SSN. That got me thinking that if an E2 dependant under normal circumstances cannot have a SSN, but the legal requirement for slecetive registraion with the govt dept is that they MUST have a SSN, then this is as gooder way as anything for getting a SSN for little Johny who would otherwise not be issue with one. Once issue, well fill in the spaces yourself!

[kebab king]

I read a really informative website on this recently, but I can't find the link for it now :(

Did manage to find the following though, which hopefully answers some of your questions: http://www.sss.gov/qa.htm

Scroll down and you'll come across this one:

Are illegal alien males required to register?
Yes. All immigrant alien males, other than those admitted on nonimmigrant visas, must register, whether or not they have a green card.
(See also Who Must Register - Chart.)

And here's the chart: http://www.sss.gov/must.htm

Kris

[punky]

Wonder if I can get out of it by saying I am a woman trapped in a man's body ;)

[Kriz1]

I would still like to know if you go for citizenship at some later date after being here say 3 years aged 18/21...if it would make a difference...I read it that it does not...your time here at those ages don't count.....
So that means also that your kids can't join up to get greencards...but illegals can....?

[Ron]

I had a thought after reading this thread and after posting my earlier response. This response relates to the subject of getting a SSN. Some while ago my wife applied for a SSN (it was before they were allowed to work by DoS). The SS office said sorry you can't have one cos you're not allowed to work and in most cases an ITIN will suffice. HOWEVER, in a leaflet they sent me which explained about the issue of SSN it detailed that you are able to apply for and be issued with a SSN if a govt dept requires one and that you obtain written proof (on letterhead from that department that they require a SSN). If you provide that, they will issue a SSN. That got me thinking that if an E2 dependant under normal circumstances cannot have a SSN, but the legal requirement for slecetive registraion with the govt dept is that they MUST have a SSN, then this is as gooder way as anything for getting a SSN for little Johny who would otherwise not be issue with one. Once issue, well fill in the spaces yourself!


Hi

Like it, nice one

My wife, two boys and myself applied to become UCS's

Three of us were approved but my youngest son was denied even though he was a LPR of good moral character

The reason

He failed to register for selective service.


Now he has regiestered and his application to become a USC has been approved