Immigration bill offers a military path to US dream ("instant legal status")

The Boston Globe ^ | June 16, 2007 | Bryan Bender

[BornInASmallTown]

WASHINGTON -- A little-noticed provision in the proposed immigration bill would grant instant legal status and ultimately full citizenship to illegal immigrants if they enlist in the US military, an idea the Pentagon and military analysts say would boost the Pentagon's flagging efforts to find and recruit qualified soldiers.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, is part of the stalled package of proposals that many in Congress are seeking to resurrect. The proposal, applicable to an estimated 750,000 undocumented residents of military age, stipulates that those who arrived in the United States before age 16, graduated from high school, and meet other qualifications could immediately enter the path to citizenship in exchange for at least two years' service in the armed forces.

Though the overall immigration bill was sidetracked earlier this month amid bitter infighting, the prospect of using military service as one pathway to citizenship appeals both to lawmakers who side with immigration rights advocates and those who want tougher immigration laws and tighter borders.

The prospect of recruiting foreigners to defend the United States has been a charged issue in the past. The Pentagon, for example, has opposed several proposals from leading defense specialists to recruit troops overseas -- a move critics liken to hiring mercenaries. Using the military service option for select illegal immigrants, however, appears to have widespread support as one way to deal with the burgeoning illegal immigration problem.

[LifeOrGoods?]

Don't be surprised if friendly fire incidents increase.

[cripplecreek]

If you don’t support amnesty you want America to lose!!!!

[/pro amnesty spinmeister mode]

[expatguy]

LMFAO

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

[cryptotech]

Have to teach them English first.

The Army's Gangbanger Division.

[P-Marlowe]

I’m not particularly opposed to this provision. Foreigners who are willing to give their lives for this country should be granted citizenship at the end of their service.

[cripplecreek]

We already allow legal non citizen residents serve.

[3AngelaD]

It also woudl grant their dependents full benefits and give them the right to bring their relatives into the country.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I would have to question the priorities/motives of an immigrant service member.

Citizens fight their country. Which country does the illegal serve?

Rome tried this also - you see how that turned out.

[ModelBreaker]

Oh great! Now let’s give them guns and training.

Actually, it works pretty well. My father-in-law became a US citizen by serving in the US Navy against the Japanese in WWII. He was so proud to be an American and raised his kids that way. If you wanted to assimilate a lot of folks fast (and turn them into conservative voters), that would be a really good way to do it.

It's one of the first things I have heard that I like about the bill.

[vetsvette]

“I’m not particularly opposed to this provision. Foreigners who are willing to give their lives for this country should be granted citizenship at the end of their service.”

I’m with you, if they’re willing to pay the price of citizenship in America, they’re welcome. This is one provision of that bill that doesn’t constitute amnesty.

Of course, as a former draftee, I support return of the draft for all Americans as well.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Yeah, swell. And what will be the cost to taxpayers for a fully bilingual DoD support infrastructure?

Since English isn't mandatory, we just can't hurt anybodys' feelings, can we???? [/sarc]

[gubamyster]

ping

[P-Marlowe]

Of course, as a former draftee, I support return of the draft for all Americans as well.

That option should only be reserved for wars in which the United States itself is under attack or invasion.

Hmmm. Maybe we should draft border guards.

[gusopol3]

just like the Irish in the Civil War.

[dennisw]

A pathway to cannon fodder

[Dante3]

This is perverted.

[K-oneTexas]

It would also give them a military ID (soldier and dependents) and then really don't need a 'Z' Visa. Also it would require full data and identification on dependents and medical info (to include DNA) on the soldier. Plus many may actually end up living in base housing or in locations registered with the Branch of Service/Unit, to be able to find the service member. Kinda give the government a bit more control over what INS actually has on those in the system.

I use soldier for all: Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, Guardsman and Coast Guardsman.

I do agree that after their commitment is fulfilled then they would be eligible for naturalized citizenship. One thing that might be interesting is if the commitment (6 years for most on initial enlistment) would equal the time for others (non-enlistees) to reach naturalization status. Parallel tracks so to speak.

Being a member of the military entitles you to certain benefits (a cot, 4 squares/day, Tricare). That said I don't know if you could exclude the enlistee or dependents, if the individual has them when he/she enlists, even if they are immigrants (illegal or legal), from Tricare. I wonder if it would mean lengthening Basic Training and Advanced Training to longer periods (like it use to be) to handle the influx of non-English speaking troops? Logically I would think yes, but bureaucratic thinking isn't logical.

I'm not sure this would be the chosen path for a large number here anyway. From what I've read many don't want eventual citizenship anyway. They just want the money. I wonder if they just want the money, do they want their family here. Possibly not.

I would be more inclined to support an illegal joining the military and working toward full status than this cockamamie AMNESTY plan. Good post, thought provoking ... it has it's bumps to work out.