Immigrant Soldiers - officials estimate there are 31,000 foreign nationals serving in US Military

Wall St. Journal ^ | April 4, 2003 | WSJ

[pittsburgh gop guy]

Two Marines killed in Iraq have now been awarded citizenship posthumously. Surprised that foreign nationals are serving in the U.S. military, and even doing the fighting and the dying? You shouldn't be.

Jose Gutierrez of Guatemala (profiled here1) and Jose Angel Garibay of Mexico, both from the Los Angeles area, were killed in the opening days of the war. Shortly before his death, Corporal Garibay wrote a letter to a former high school teacher explaining why he was willing to go to war: "I want to defend the country I plan to become a citizen of."

[pittsburgh gop guy]

I think Pat Buchannan would be shocked!

[UCFRoadWarrior]

One of my co-workers who was called up (Natl Guard) is a Brazillian who also served in the US Marines......he would like to get his citizenship but it costs some money to do it legally......hopefully his service in Iraq Liberation will speed his citzenship up

Although we hear a lot about the illegals and the crime and carnage that come in....we have a lot of non-citizens who cant wait to defend the US.

I would like to trade some immigrants who want to be US citizens for the American-haters who are protesting in San Fruitcisco and New York

[pittsburgh gop guy]

"I would like to trade some immigrants who want to be US citizens for the American-haters who are protesting in San Fruitcisco and New York"

NO DOUBT!

Another interesting thing: You can't be an officer unless you are a citizen. I agree with that, just like I agree with letting non-citizens serve in the U.S. Military.

[XJarhead]

Sometimes, the most patriotic Americans of all are new immigrants. If you've never been to a a citizenship ceremony, it can be quite the experience.

[pittsburgh gop guy]

"If you've never been to a a citizenship ceremony, it can be quite the experience."

I have been - when my mother became a citizen. It was a moving event.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Pat buchanan is not a conservative.

[hchutch]

Check out the feature on Gutierrez - Michelle Malkin won't say a word about that brave immigrant.

I'd trade a bunch of these immigrants for the likes of Buchanan, Ramsey Clark, Maxine Waters, Sam Francis, and Paul Craig Roberts without hesitation.

[Dante3]

This is a dangeous situation. The enemy agents can enlist, get training, and infiltrate our armed forces.

You can bet all of those peole do NOT love us so much that they want to risk their lives for us. Until now, the military was a relatively safe place to be and the perks are much better than in other countires.

These people haven't been here long enough to develop a loyalty to this country. While an argument can be made to use foreign mercenaries in certain situations, they should not receive more recognztion through citizenship or other perks than our own soldiers.

[hchutch]

FYI ping.

Somehow, I doubt Michelle Malkin will be writing about this.

[skeeter]

I would like to trade some immigrants who want to be US citizens for the American-haters who are protesting in San Fruitcisco and New York

While I understand & agree with the gist of your comment, I'll point out that large percentage of those protesting the war in SF are immigrants as well.

Likewise, not many will argue that immigrants who choose to serve this country should receive priority attention from the INS, but I don't need the WSJ pointing this out to me. Where immigration is concerned we all know what their real agenda is.

[hchutch]

And there are others who will use the evil acts of some immigrants to further their agenda.

This comes from BOTH sides on any debate - you name the issue, each side will come up with their own example.

[skeeter]

This comes from BOTH sides on any debate - you name the issue, each side will come up with their own example.

Er, thats the point I was making.

[Ditto]

I think Pat Buchannan would be shocked!

I'm sure he would be, but Pat never served in the military either.

[JohnnyZ]

Somehow, I doubt Michelle Malkin will be writing about this.

She's really hot. I mean, REALLY hot. Woo baby!

[wtc911]

My wife was born in another country and came here with her family when she was young. She is one of the best Americans I have ever known. Her patriotism is both real and rational. Her patience for anyone, even from her home country, who denigrates what we have is short to say the least. In a phrase...she gets it.

[JohnnyZ]

How can you take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, if you're a foreigner yourself.

But you're not a foreign enemy. From all enemies foreign or domestic to the US. Logical.

[FITZ]

I'm all for legalizing any immigrant (from non-Muslim countries) who would join the military ---if we could immediately deport the 34% from Mexico who found their way to welfare programs instead and all those committing felony document fraud by using stolen Social Security numbers. The ones willing to join the military are relatively few and can't really be used to justify unlimited illegal immigration ----as some seem so quick to use them.

[FITZ]

Did you read about the dung-throwing Mexicans yesterday protesting against the US in Mexico City? The heros don't represent every American-hating foreigner. Some absolutely despise this country, some are just here for what they can be given.

[skeeter]

The ones willing to join the military are relatively few and can't really be used to justify unlimited illegal immigration ----as some seem so quick to use them.

Funny how the ones who leap on any negative stereotypes re: immigrants seem to be suddenly willing to promote the positive ones.

This is why the issue of who should be allowed in needs to be removed from the realm of emotion and looked at rationally.