Must have legal status (green card) to serve in the military. According to the WSJ, there are currently over 31,000 non-citizen foreign nationals serving in the US militay. Hispanics are the largest group. Here's a clip from April 4, 2003 WSJ:
The Marines have a number of foreign nationals in their ranks. Out of a force of 175,000, 7,331 are not yet citizens of the United States and 5,416 became citizens after enlisting. Hispanics are by far the largest group — 3,472 of the non-citizen Marines.
Defense officials estimate there are 31,000 foreign nationals serving in all the service branches, many of whom are now fighting in the Gulf. And while polls say 80% of Mexicans do not support this war, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has been swamped with hundreds of requests to enlist in the U.S. military. Even as American casualties are coming home, there are plenty of would-be Americans who'd be more than happy to join the fight for our national security if it means they'd have a chance at living better lives afterward.
Keeping in mind that these soldiers are fighting for the United States in Iraq, I would imagine that the support would be even greater if the US/the North American continent were invaded. Thousands of Mexicans crossed the border & joined the US military after Pearl Harbor. I would think that if the US was invaded, then Mexico & Canada would certainly join the US to expel the invaders from the North American continent.
To answer your question--YES, absolutely YES.
One of the things that bothers me most about them is that when they refer to "my country" they are speaking of the their country of origin.
A large community of American & Canadian expatriates are currently living in Mexico, mostly retirees. I would fully expect that when those expatriates talk about my country, they are referring to their country of origin. There is nothing at all unusual to refer to the country where you were born, of which you are a citizen, as my country. That is where their cultural identity was formed. Until they have attained legal status & until they earn their citizenship, the United States is not their country. I lived most of my life in Oklahoma; that's where my cultural identity was formed. I've lived in Wisconsin for nearly 7 years, but I still think of myself as a southwesterner; I do not identify myself to me as a Wisconsinite. Take Texans are a good illustration of a cultural identity...a Texan is always a Texan no matter how long they've been gone nor where they go.
Do you really think they value living in America the same way I do?
No one values living in America the same way you do. It's an individual thing. Example: Who has ever gone through school in the US w/o having written at least one essay about What America Means to Me? Read 20 of those essays, read 100 of those essays--they will all be different because we are individuals and we have individual beliefs & values.
Why then do we accept when illegals celebrate holidays from their country of origin.
Because it's not really any of our business, that's why. Because many of their holidays are religious holidays. Cinco de Mayo is a political holiday that celebrates whipping French forces in Mexico and ridding Mexico of an Austrian monarch--Maximillian. Wow! Sounds like a very American thing to do, doesn't it? We should join them in celebrating it.
When we celebrate the 4th of July, do you think these illegals even understand what it is that gave them the day off? The pride I feel on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day I am sure is lost on the illegals.
Do you still think that? After learning that thousands & thousands of Hispanics have served in the United States military? When Mexico has found many battles for their own independence? When untold numbers of Hispanics have died fighting for the United States/ fighting for Mexican independence? And, is not learning the significance of American holidays a very significant part of the studies to become a citizen? And do you really think that the illegals understand less about American holidays than many people living in the 'hood, or the average American teenager, who has been raised in the culture of the United States? Just how much is it reasonable to expect poor, poorly educated people to know about the world outside the pursuit of surviving from day to day?
Must have legal status (green card) to serve in the military. According to the WSJ, there are currently over 31,000 non-citizen foreign nationals serving in the US militay. Hispanics are the largest group. Here's a clip from April 4, 2003 WSJ:
You have managed to completely avoid the question. I am talking about the illegals working in restaurants, for gardeners and such. Not those in the military. You don't even want to answer the questions posed just attempt to bolster your arguement for rewarding illegals.
Keeping in mind that these soldiers are fighting for the United States in Iraq, I would imagine that the support would be even greater if the US/the North American continent were invaded. Thousands of Mexicans crossed the border & joined the US military after Pearl Harbor. I would think that if the US was invaded, then Mexico & Canada would certainly join the US to expel the invaders from the North American continent.
To answer your question--YES, absolutely YES.
I have highlighted the key point to your position. Times are different today. I don't see any evidence that these beloved illegals of yours would lift a finger to help defend America.
A large community of American & Canadian expatriates are currently living in Mexico, mostly retirees. I would fully expect that when those expatriates talk about my country, they are referring to their country of origin.
These retirees are not leaching off of Mexicans. They are living a life as a retired person not one of an illegal invader.
I lived most of my life in Oklahoma; that's where my cultural identity was formed. I've lived in Wisconsin for nearly 7 years, but I still think of myself as a southwesterner; I do not identify myself to me as a Wisconsinite.
That is not even part of the arguement. It has nothing to do with the issue at hand which is loyalty to a country that provides the freedom they are living under.
No one values living in America the same way you do. It's an individual thing. Example: Who has ever gone through school in the US w/o having written at least one essay about What America Means to Me? Read 20 of those essays, read 100 of those essays--they will all be different because we are individuals and we have individual beliefs & values.
What an inane response. You know perfectly well what I meant. If they are willing to break the law to get here and nothing is done to punish them then they begin to believe that breaking the law is the norm. These illegals have very little respect for the laws and they, by the fact that they are willing to break the law from day one, show me that they do not value the freedoms we have and thereby denegrate our society.
Do you still think that? After learning that thousands & thousands of Hispanics have served in the United States military? When Mexico has found many battles for their own independence? When untold numbers of Hispanics have died fighting for the United States/ fighting for Mexican independence? And, is not learning the significance of American holidays a very significant part of the studies to become a citizen?
Yes I do. Here, you reveal yourself for what you are. You are pro hispanic. Plain and simple. You never once talk about the Europeans, Asians, or Africans that come here illegaly. It is painfully obvious to me you are motivated by a misguided respect for criminals who are willing to subvert the very laws that grant you the freedom to live here. If you are so enamored of these hispanics then go live in Mexico where you can be surrounded by these wonderful people. As you advocate the destruction of our country I think you should leave.