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‘Some FAS citizens in NMI must register with Selective Service’
Kilili
FAS citizens are those from Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia or Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae.
This is based on information that Sablan’s office gathered from the federal agency as a result of occasional inquiries to his office whether FAS citizens in the CNMI should register for the draft.
“The answer is yes, but the Selective Service website has been unclear on this. So, we asked for definitive guidance,” Sablan said.
As a result, he said, the Selective Service System has updated its website with a better explanation.
“Habitual residence is presumed and registration is required whenever a national or a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau, resides in the United States for more than one year in any status, except as a student who entered the U.S. for the purpose of full time studies as long as such person maintains that status or employee of the government of his homeland,” Sablan said, quoting the federal agency.
Registration form can be accessed at http://www.sss.gov/Registration_Form.pdf.
Those ages 18 through 25 living outside the United States or its territories may also register with Selective Service System through their U.S. consulate or embassy.
Most of these individuals are required by law to have registered within 30 days of their 18th birthdays.
They must notify Selective Service within 10 days of any changes to any of the information they provided on their registration cards, like a change of address.
A 2010 U.S. Government Accountability Office report estimated the registration rate at 92 percent, with the names and addresses of over 16.2 million men on file.
Registration for Selective Service is also required for various federal programs and benefits, including student loans, job training, federal employment, and naturalization.
