YC came to our office after his immigration status had lapsed. He had attended undergraduate and graduate school in the United States and he was now at the end of his Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. Before his status had run out, YC had enrolled in the US Army Reserves but could not serve due to his lack of status.
Fortunately, through a little known law (INA 329), service in the U.S. military during a period of designated hostility can be grounds to apply for citizenship, even if the applicant is currently out of status and never had a green card. We used this law to apply for her citizenship on an expedited basis.
This summer, YC became a US citizen without ever having lawful resident status. We are immensely proud of him and all our immigrant clients who are serving this country.