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War casualties honored with citizenship

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 2003411143229
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew S. Richards

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(April 10, 2003) -- Four Southern California Marines recently killed in action while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom have received posthumous citizenship - a gesture of thanks made possible by a local Marine with savvy in immigration law and a heart for serving his fellow Marines.

Master Gunnery Sgt. George M. Sabga, an immigration attorney, spearheaded citizenship for the deceased Marines - including three from Camp Pendleton - after noting that numerous service members had received posthumous citizenship during the Vietnam War.

Meanwhile, no one at the Joint Legal Assistance Office here could remember hearing of citizenship granted posthumously, even during wartime.

"Everything we've done has been because of (Sabga). Nothing would have ever come of these Marines" citizenship, and now, because of this, the (INS) is gearing up and watching for situations like these," said Maj. Thomas J. Sanzi, the director of JLAO. "We're also trying to get Headquarters Marine Corps to watch for these Marines."

The honors come against the backdrop of a widening naturalization window created for military members after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 - a window the four Marines couldn't find time to exploit before going off to war.

President George W. Bush opened the window last year, declaring that anyone who serves in the military one day past Sept. 11, 2001, may apply under an accelerated process.

And many have done so - resulting in large attendance increases at naturalization classes here since the policy took effect last summer.

Sabga began working with the JLAO one day a week as a volunteer in 2002 to process packages. Now, as an activated reservist assigned to the G-7 office with I Marine Expeditionary Force, his command allows him to continue his volunteer service to help Marines with their applications.

But with many local Marines and sailors away fighting the war, fewer people are applying, he says.

"They can apply for citizenship, no problem, and it's rare when anyone gets denied, but there are a lot of things that have to be done," said Sabga, who formerly worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

While service members left behind simply need to visit the JLAO to apply for naturalization,those killed in action can receive it only upon the request of the family, added Sabga.

Although the process is purely ceremonial, and results in no real benefits, most families are proud to have it done, according to Sabga.

But they have to start the ball rolling.

"The families have to contact us about their loved ones and their own citizenship. We canÕt do anything without them doing so," said Gunnery Sgt. Annette Hanke, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of JLAO.

"They don't need to fear their individual status, and if they can't afford the fees, there are plenty of things we can do to help them," Sabga said.

But, "it's up to the families to let us know," said Sabga.

The JLAO here - with its streamlined process - handles citizenship packages not only for Pendleton Marines and sailors, but also assists other service members within the local INS district.