I always found it interesting that Judah Benjamin was Secretary of War/State of the Confederacy.
http://www.civilwarhome.com/benjaminbio.htm
When I was in the Army in the 1950s you had to be a legal resident to join. I hear people speak of illegal immigrants who served in the U.S. military . . . .
To serve was a proud and honorable way for LEGAL immigrants to gain citizenship.
Are ILLEGALs now permitted to join? I know that they are required to register with the Selective Service System with no risk of being exposed as illegal.