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Monday, Jul 13, 2026

Can noncitizens serve in the US military?

Isabella Aldrete, The Nevada Independent
yes

Non-citizens are eligible to serve in the military as long as they are lawful permanent residents of the United States and are fluent in English. Undocumented immigrants and foreign nationals living abroad cannot join the armed forces. 

U.S. military veterans who have not been naturalized may also be subject to removal from the United States if they commit deportable offenses, such as possessing certain controlled substance or breaking certain firearm laws. 

As of February 2026, nearly 50,000 foreign nationals were serving in active and reserve components of the Armed Forces per the Congressional Research Institute. In 2024, there were an estimated 125,000 foreign nationals who were veterans. 

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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