Immigration and citizenship

Executive Order 12939: Expedited Naturalization of Aliens and Noncitizen Nationals Who Served in an Active-Duty Status During the Persian Gulf Conflict

President: Bill Clinton

Designated the Persian Gulf conflict period for expedited naturalization under 8 U.S.C. § 1440; qualifying veterans may still use the statutory route.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 12939 still in effect? Yes. Continuing designation for honorable active-duty service during August 2, 1990–April 11, 1991.

What does Executive Order 12939 do?

EO 12939 designated August 2, 1990 through April 11, 1991 as a period of armed conflict for the military-naturalization exception in 8 U.S.C. § 1440. A noncitizen or noncitizen national who served honorably in active-duty status during that period may qualify for naturalization without some ordinary residence and physical-presence requirements, subject to the rest of the statute and proof requirements. The designation remains included in current U.S. Code notes.

Administration position: The order opens an expedited statutory path for qualifying service. It does not itself confer citizenship or waive every naturalization requirement.
SignedNovember 22, 1994
Qualifying periodAugust 2, 1990–April 11, 1991
Required serviceHonorable active duty

Before and after

Before the order

The Persian Gulf conflict period lacked this presidential designation under § 1440.

After the order

Qualifying service during the fixed dates could support an expedited application.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
USCISEvaluate applications under § 1440 and the designationFor eligible veterans
ApplicantsDocument honorable active-duty service and remaining eligibilityWhen applying

What happened next

The designated period began.

The designated period ended.

EO 12939 made the designation.