Military Spouse Expedited Citizenship

[Marlies2]

This is similar to a question asked before from a military spouse with an expedited citizenship question.
I am too a spouse of a US citizen who is currently serving in the military. I have been married to my husband for over 21 years. Since 21 years, I am moving back and forth between the US and overseas. I was command-sponsored and on military orders for every move. I recently decided to become a US citizen and turned in my citizenship request to the INS office. Six months later, I was called into the INS office for an interview only to find out that I am not qualified to become a US citizen. I lost $450 within 2 minutes! The requirements are that a spouse must have lived in the United States for at least 3 years continuously (not previous stateside years added together) at the time the citizenship request is processed! I was back in the US for only 1.5 years and it didn’t matter that I had spent 10 years in the States before (years added together from previous stateside assignments). I asked for the supervisor and he said that the only way to expedite a citizenship for a military spouse is to have the INS process the paperwork within 6 months before leaving the US.
I would like to have this law changed because I feel that I have served the United States and its military continuously for over 21 years at the side of my husband. Who can I write to change this citizenship law for military spouses?

 

[Caillie]

Marlies, below is a link to About.com. I also remember reading in another forum that several military spouses were able to get their citizenship even while stationed overseas. According to that forum, military spouses are not breaking their residency by moving to another country on military orders.
I am not an expert on this, so please don't take my word for it. But do check into it, because I think you may have been given the wrong information. You might be able to file an appeal. Unfortunately I cannot find the information at the USCIS website (ever since they redid it, I am lost!), but here are a couple of other links that might help.
Best of luck!

About.com, military naturalization

And here's a link to an immigration attorney's site:
Requirements for citizenship

There are also exceptions for lawful permanent residents married to U.S. citizens stationed or employed abroad. Some lawful permanent residents may not have to comply with the residence or physical presence requirements when the U.S. citizen spouse is employed by one of the following:

* the U.S. Government (including the U.S. Armed Forces);

 

[Flydog]

Check out page 20 of the "Guide to Naturalization" (bottom of the page). It looks like you need a green card, but you are not required to have met the "continuous residence" and "physical presence requirements"

 

[gordi9]

Marlies2, like you I am a military dependant. We have been stationed overseas for the past 6 years and my interview appt. is next week. Military spouses don't break residence by living overseas under official orders. Go visit the MPF building and talk to the person in charge of Immigration Affairs. Good Luck!