Title 8, Aliens and NationalityRelease 119-102
§1425 Ineligibility to Naturalization of Deserters From the Armed Forces
Title 8 › CHAPTER 12 — IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY › SUBCHAPTER III — NATIONALITY AND NATURALIZATION › Part II — Nationality Through Naturalization › § 1425
Summary
Permanently bars someone from U.S. citizenship if, during a war, they deserted the armed forces, left where they were enrolled, or left the country to avoid the draft. If convicted by a court-martial or other court, they also cannot hold federal office or have citizen rights.
Full Legal Text
Title 8, §1425
Aliens and Nationality, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A person who, at any time during which the United States has been or shall be at war, deserted or shall desert the military, air, or naval forces of the United States, or who, having been duly enrolled, departed, or shall depart from the jurisdiction of the district in which enrolled, or who, whether or not having been duly enrolled, went or shall go beyond the limits of the United States, with intent to avoid any draft into the military, air, or naval service, lawfully ordered, shall, upon conviction thereof by a court martial or a court of competent jurisdiction, be permanently ineligible to become a citizen of the United States; and such deserters and evaders shall be forever incapable of holding any office of trust or of profit under the United States, or of exercising any rights of citizens thereof.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
8 U.S.C. § 1425
Title 8, Aliens and Nationality
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102