>>become legal residents if they attend college or join the military.<<
I generally speaking am against illegal immigration and the sins of the parents are indeed visited on the children (if a man robs a bank and is put in prison, the kids suffer — it is just part of life).
But for this one, I am willing to split the baby. Serve 4 years in the military in a spot available for active duty deployment and I think permanent residency is a proper reward.
If those in or from the armed forces disagree then I am open to argument.
The military is already open to foreigners and has been for some time. For those who complete their service honorably citizenship is available to them.
Our military is not composed of mercenaries. We recruit our force from citizens and legal permanent residents.