Selective Service - Who registers?

[kevster1001]

<p>I am in the process of getting my green card. People have been telling me different things. I have to, no I don’t have to. Some of my friends have not gotten a mail saying to register yet. Would they have to register sometime in the future (they’re all 18 and over). I read somewhere all males living in the US 18 and over have to register (except people on student visas, tourists, diplomatic, etc). </p>

<p>I already got a mail to register and I did. Did I make a mistake?</p>

[MamaDrama]

<p>From Wikipedia FWIW:</p>

<p>

Under current law, all male U.S. citizens are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. In addition, foreign males between the ages of 18 and 26 living in the United States must register. This includes permanent residents (holders of Green Cards), refugees, asylees, dual citizens, and undocumented/illegal aliens.[2] Foreign males in the United States as lawful non-immigrants (international students, visitors, diplomats, etc.) are not required to register.[2] Failure to register as required is grounds for denying a petition for US citizenship.

</p>

<p>Sounds like you did the right thing if your green card is underway. Maybe it wasn’t necessary RIGHT this second, but it would have been necessary eventually.</p>

[OperaDad]

<p>

Did I make a mistake?

</p>

<p>It is one thing to “register”, and it is another thing to be “drafted”.</p>

<p>By registering, you have eliminated a potential problem (question on “are you registered”).</p>

<p>If you ever get drafted (while not a US Citizen), then you can figure out if the US Government has a legal right to draft you. If not, then you don’t have to serve. If they do, then you can go back to your home country to avoid service, but probably then never be able to come back to the USA.</p>