Military Base Wedding Access for Non US citizens

I've been to a wedding in base before, the couple included a note in the invite about acceptable forms of identification to get on base. Funny things is, once we got there no one checked to be sure we had our documentation with us...

Not to get off topic but @HulaHoop Fort Wainwright is actually right near North Pole AK, we've been stationed there.

I usually only have to give some kind of identification when I enter the base, I'm not entirely sure about other policies, so sorry this happened to you at such short notice.

I can't think of anything that would offend my fiancé more than being asked about his immigration status. He said there is no polite way to bring that up. Which should be common sense.

I 100% understand WHY it is needed, and wouldn't be upset about it being necessary. Certain places have certain security measures that need to be followed, there is no going around that.. But he WOULD be offended about people questioning his citizenship.

This should have been thought about a long time ago, but that ship has sailed. I don't really think there is a polite way to go about this, but good luck, I hope it all works out.

ETA: he is blessed to be a naturalized citizen, but that does not make it any less offensive.

@Casey. Um offended that they weren't allowed in because of their immigration status? I would be! I'm an my mother is an American, and I get angry when people ask my Chinese mother what her immigration status is.

I have never heard of not being allowed in a military base. But I know little to nothing about the military.

PS: tell them if that they check ID's at the door. Because you may get someone in a lot of trouble. And possibly deported. You should have checked with your venue. But the least you can do now is not get anyone deported.

It's just rude to have a wedding in a venue like that where your guests have to go through so much trouble just to be there for you on your special day. Whatever the information they have to give out might be more personal information they're willing to give out. I would not want to tell people my social security number just to be a guest in their wedding. You should really not have gone with that venue. Why would anyone wanna have a wedding on a military base anyways? My fiancé is US Army and we want to stay as far away as possible from a military base.

Is this honestly the first time that this occurred to you>?

Jena,

I apologize in advance if this sounds heartless, but this was your job, as host, to figure all this out. If they didn't tell you, you should have asked, knowing you had people born in other countries on your guest list. I honestly can't think of anything more rude than someone's immigration status determining whether or not you uninvite them to your wedding.

@Elizabeth PREACH

@Shauna, no one is offended that they are not allowed on military bases without credentials. That makes sense.

What is crazy to me that she would have a wedding at a military base, if she knew that some of his family may not have a green card/citizenship.

AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. People can be here legally without being a citizen or a green card. (Student visas, work visas.) No one is doing anything illegally necessarily @Kaitlyn. FFS.

Since you really are already stuck in the middle of this predicament, the only advice i'd give is trying to give people as much information as necessary to let them know this is not intending to be invasive and is necessary for the security protocol. give your guests the opportunity to contact you privately and if anyone expresses concern or uncertainty, i would try to call them personally to explain the situation. military or not, i know many people who side-eye if any asks for personal information, so just try to be as gracious and understanding as possible.

"I didn't think I would need identification to attend a wedding" well it's on a base. You don't get to walk into a military base with no identification.

Also, it is illegal to come into ANY country illegally (not just the US. Try walking into Canada without a passport and see what happens). Doesn't make that individual a bad person or unworthy or respect and dignity, but it does mean they have committed a crime.

If you need to give the info, then get it. I'd have FH handle his side. If it offends someone, then there's not much you can do. Springing the additional requirements on you is pretty shitty on their part, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do at this point. I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

Honestly, I believe this should have been taken into consideration before choosing venues. Someone shouldn't have to spill their personal information to attend YOUR wedding. Especially when your FH is first generation American.

In fairness, I skipped a page. But as a military brat I have experience with bases. I know many people who have not had that experience. I am not getting married on a base but when my dad got remarried every attendee knew of his work experience, knew where the wedding was and some idea of what to expect. Your fiances family knows he was in the military and may be more understanding. Just tell them what is needed. For people who wouldn't know... if you don't know someone who would be getting married on a base, of course you wouldn't think to bring ID. But with some connection to that life - you would likely have some thought of what do you need to get on base.

@ohheyitscait and @elizabeth took the words out of my mouth. My FH has a pretty thick accent and people regularly question his immigration status or even if he "did it the right way."

Please be sure to reach out to EVERYONE on the guest list about proper identification and paperwork. Do not just assume either of you know your friends and families immigration status.

So late in the game the best you can do is apologize for poor planning and let them know they will be missed.

I talked to a friend last night and he added that anyone with outstanding warrants or a conviction within 5 years or less with a misdemeanor (i.e. DUI) or a conviction within 10 years or less with a felony will also not be allowed on most bases. He said he's had to turn away parents at graduations because of a DUI conviction on their record. This is a Texas AF base. He said some are not as strict at enforcing it as his base.

People that are not "legal" cannot get a drivers license or ID card. This was extremely poor planning on your part. Possibly trading family attendance for a view, ugh. To me that's terrible and NO military base locations is worth excluding family for. This coming from a retired Marine. This should have been on your mind especially if your from military families. Kinda seems like common sense.

Just a thought - but your FMIL should speak with "her" guests prior to invitations being sent and determine this.

As a military mom, I would be very careful about who is invited on base.

Can you imagine how upset someone might be if they come to the wedding and are not able to attend or get arrested?

Not just you O&S.

People can't be illegal. I wish everyone would use undocumented.

FYI, I have never been on a military base and I have no idea what documents I would need to enter.