Illegal immigrant soldier, back from Iraq, faces possible deportation

registerguard.com ^ | 12 Sep 03 | AP

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[VU4G10]

My heart bleeds.

[HiJinx]

But it's unclear what would happen to an illegal immigrant who faked papers to get into the military, as Escalante did.

What happened to people who faked their age to get into the service in the 40s? In most cases, they were discharged. Not sure how the parallel runs, but Escalante runs the real risk of being deported...it really is up to his superiors in the Army. I don't believe an immigration judge can make a deportation order stick for an active duty soldier.

[PatrioticAmerican]

So, how did a person get to be a soldier if they didn't have a valid identity? Just who the Hell is the Army turning away?

[freeangel]

Surely, Bush could issue some type of an exception for this soldier and his family although it sounds as if they should have taken advantage of one of the previous amnesty programs.

[bicycle thug]

This sort of thing has gone on forever. In the Civil War, kids would put a piece of paper with '18' written on it so they could say they were over eighteen.

We had a guy who was forgiven without sanction for using his brother's ID to enlist at too young an age. Surely they could help this guy out. His heart is definately in the right place.

[PRND21]

My heart bleeds.

Duh.

[HiJinx]

They're not turning very many people away at all...

I have a coupla stories I could tell about family friends who shouldn't be in.

There are lots of reasons for this but one of the prime reasons is the burden on recruiters to meet quotas. The armed services require a definite number of accessions (new recruits) each year and each recruiting office has a number they must bring in based on the demographics of their area. You wouldn't believe some of the gimmicks in use to bring people in.

[thoughtomator]

Didn't the first President Bush fudge his age by a year to get into the Navy?

[HiJinx]

The last amnesty program was in '86, these folks have only been here since '92-93.

This soldier will only be able to stay if his commander figures out a way to overlook the fake green card used for enlistment and to get his citizenship expedited before he is discharged.

[HiJinx]

Yes, he did.

[FITZ]

It seems there would be plenty of other types more worthy of deportation to get before they deport this guy. I'd rather see those deported who stold Social Security numbers or committed felony document fraud to take good paying jobs from citizens --- at least this guy risked his life for the USA.

[boxerblues]

We have a soldier who could use some help over here. He fought for us, he should be allowed to stay.

[aquila48]

This is so asinine...

Here we have california giving free tuition and driver's license to known illegals without them being at any risk of being deported, and then we take someone that has fought for this country being threatened like this - we should be giving him instant citizenship!!

WE ARE DOOMED!!!

[HiJinx]

The references to 'blue and white patch' and Ft. Stewart tells me he's probably 3rd ID. They received the Presidential Unit Citation today.

If the kid has a good commander, he (or she!) will go to bat for him and figure out a way to delay discharge and expedite citizenship. The kid isn't going anywhere for at least another 12 to 18 months at the earliest, when his enlistment is up.

Now that I think about it, that means this piece is nothing more than a tug at the ol' heartstrings to get us to feel sorry for all illegals and force Bush to get his amnesty program rammed through before poor Juan is deported.

Lousy presstitutes...

[Bringbackthedraft]

If he is in over 180 days active service he's a veteran! My bet is he's here to stay, and deserves to stay. Welcome to America Kid!

[dark_lord]

Escalante was 4 when his parents entered the United States illegally.

A key point. Put not the sins of the parents on their children. They guy served. Let him in.

[Britton J Wingfield]

He's earned his right to be here.

[Justin Thyme]

I agree that there are tons of others more deserving of deportation. I'd be inclined to wanting to grant the kid citizenship, especially after a combat tour.

However, he has a fraudulant enlistment, which technically voids the contract. He also procured a fraudulent residency card. Not sure where this sits in the higherarchy of crime, but it is fraud.

Regardless of their noble intent, you can't ignore the lack of integrity involved. Changing the scenario only slightly, if it was Sgt. Akbar (the guy who threw grenades at his superior officers) who was the illegal alien in question, people would be screaming "how could we let this happen?".

Just a thought.