Summary#
This bill would change Title 10 of the U.S. Code to stop certain foreign nationals from joining the Armed Forces and to add related rules and reporting. Key points in the bill text:
- It adds a rule that no person who is a national of a "covered nation" (as defined in section 4872(f) of title 10) may be enlisted in an armed force.
- For appointment (for example, officer appointment), a person must not have been a national of a covered nation during the five-year period before the appointment.
- The Secretary of Defense must give a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees within one year. The report must identify members who are foreign nationals of a covered nation and who were lawful permanent residents when they joined, list each person’s accession date and years of service, and say how many are seeking citizenship.
- The enlistment and appointment changes apply to original enlistments or original appointments on or after 180 days after the bill becomes law.
The bill text refers to "covered nations" by citing section 4872(f) of title 10; the provided text does not list which countries are covered.
What it means for you#
- If you are a national of a covered nation and you try to enlist on or after 180 days after this bill becomes law, the bill would bar your enlistment.
- If you seek appointment (such as an officer appointment), you must not have been a national of a covered nation during the five years before the appointment.
- If you already serve and were a foreign national from a covered nation who was a lawful permanent resident when you joined, the Department of Defense must report details about your accession and service to Congress within one year. The bill text does not say the report will lead to removal, separation, or other changes.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
The bill text includes findings stating that the Armed Forces need undivided loyalty and that allowing foreign nationals from countries described as adversaries creates risks. The findings say such service could pose risks of espionage, sabotage, foreign influence, or compromise of sensitive information and that existing assessment processes are insufficient to manage those risks.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.