INS Tells Marine He's Not Good Enough For Citizenship.

Fox News | 03/17/2003 | Self

[bluecollarman]

Did anyone else hear the News Report on The Marine Sgt. on FOX news? He says INS deemed him to be of inadequate character to be a US citizen!

Marine was born in Vietnam and had some minor trouble when he was a young man, obviously the trouble was not serious enough to keep him out of the USMC but serious enough he can't be a citizen? Is there nothing we can do to help him?

[Bigg Red]

Non-US citizens should not be members of the US armed forces...


Amen, Captain!!!

[Toidylop]

This guy has spent time in the last several years to become a Marine. It's sad that some do not see the sacrifice this man has.

[algol]

Why not?

I don't think anyone is advocating a foreign legion, but there are plenty of legal immigrants who aren't (yet) citizens who'd be proud to help defend their adopted country. You think they're not good enough?

[af_vet_rr]

Non-US citizens should not be members of the US armed forces -- period.

Just remember, it wasn't the USMC that let the 9/11 hijackers slip into the US and remain long after they should have booted out, it was INS.

[bluecollarman]

Don't forget out little "Sniper" Mr. Malvo. He was an INS mistake also.

[LibKill]

I served with Marines whose citizenship were from different countries. In peacetime they did about as well as U.S. Citizens, some were exceptional. You have to be a permanent legal resident of the U.S. to join.

[ET(end tyranny)]

I'm with you! I wish it would just make O'rielly's ridiculous item of the day.

For starters. Perhaps O'Reilly can get him the coverage he needs to plead his case.

Evidently he did something when he was a teenager. I suppose depending on just what it was..... but I would think that serving 6 or 7 years in the Marines ought to more than balance that out.

Not sure but I thought the interviewer might have been Rick Levanthal???

[codercpc]

I have emailed Fox News viewer services to find out his name for sure.

If I get a response, I will post it immediately.

Anyone who is willing to die for me, is worthy of my help in any way possible, which includes a Freep of his Senators, and mine.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

MARINE SEMPER FI PINGS

[dcwusmc]

Why would you say that? I know some foreign-born folks who are more patriotic than many "native" Americans. I used to know a NUMBER of them in the Marine Corps. They make the best kind of citizen, for they have already demonstrated a willingness to protect a society not yet theirs. Your attitude definitely needs some work...

[bluecollarman]

"Not sure but I thought the interviewer might have been Rick Levanthal???"



Yea, I think that was him, "aeronca" got the screen shot on post #50.

[Mark17]

Non-US citizens should not be members of the US armed forces -- period.

I disagree. I was in the Air Force for 20 years, and knew quite a few non US citizens. One was an E-6, who got his degree, his citizenship, and a commission as an Air Force officer.

[dcwusmc]

PINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I know some foreign-born folks who are more patriotic than many "native" Americans. I used to know a NUMBER of them in the Marine Corps. They make the best kind of citizen, for they have already demonstrated a willingness to protect a society not yet theirs. "

---

Amen. If someone is willing to put his life on the line to protect 280 million Americans, I think it's a bit silly to say that they don't have allegiance to the U.S. Every Marine (and U.S. soldier and sailor and airman) takes an oath upon entry into the service, and that oath is good enough for me. If he has lived up to that oath during his many years in the service, I don't see how we can deny him the chance to take the oath to become a U.S. citizen.

But, dcwusmc, I have to differ with one thing you said. You described the Vietnam-born Marine as one that has shown a "willingness to protect a society not [his] yet." The Sergeant in question has lived in America since he was 6 months old, and has served with distinction in the Marines and in the Reserves for a number of years. I think he's a member of American society even if he hasn't officially become a citizen yet.

As for the posts by other FReepers regarding some servicemen who have commited treason, I bet you in just about every case these were American citizens. The Marines aren't perfect, and they make mistakes once in a while when letting someone enlist. But banning non-citizens from serving is not the answer.

[Eastbound]

"Yes I would make him a citizen. He is a Sgt. in an honorable status."

Is taking an oath to defend the Constitution as a United States Marine any less of an oath than the oath the INS requires for citizenship? I think not. I would say his first oath qualified him as a de facto citizen. Anyone want to 'second' that motion?

[Endeavor]

Oh please, who do you think made up the Minutemen?

[em2vn]

I don't think the U.S. military is going to abandon over one hundred and fifty years of practice to satisfy you. Can you think of a better way to inculcate an immigrant with the American ethos than service in the U.S. military?

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Sounds to me like he has EARNED the right to BE an American Citizen. I agree with Bluecollarman. If he is good enough to serve in the Marines, and is a soldier in good standing.. he deserves citizenship! Sheesh.. this is crazy!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Good job friend. I was hoping someone would post this, and even post his full name and what state he joined up from.

Who was the anchor on Fox at the time? Hopefully, someone will have more information so we can write to "someone" about the situation.

FRegards, Vets