[Sweet_Sunflower29]

More than 31,000 non-citizens are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces...???

Maybe I'm not understanding something, but I always assumed that those defending our nation were American citizens...

[fogarty]

They are referring to permanent residents, who are in the process of obtaining citizenship.

For example, take the case of a woman who immigrates here with her children based on a work or fiance visa. Her children can apply to become American citizens, but they have to wait 5 years or more to go through the conditional resident-permanent resident process. As permanent residents, her children can join the military, even though they may have not been granted citizenship yet.

[Militiaman7]

This is great, but Mr.President it would be nice if you take Uncle Sams advise:

[AAABEST]

I am one of the biggest anti-illegal immigrant posters on this forum.

This does not bother me however. I love legal immigration and love people that serve this country. If this makes it easier permanent residents to get through the horrid INS bureaucracy I say God bless them.

[Ruckerduck]

It was my understanding that membership in the US military was a way for non-citizens to gain citizenship - when I was in the Service I met several Filipinos (sp?) doing just that. This certainly isn't something new.

[warchild9]

This is the most honorable way for a non-citizen to gain their citizenship. The tradition goes back thousands of years in a hundred different cultures. Even...gag...the French (as service in the Foreign Legion grants one French citizenship).

[warchild9]

Oh, and the tinhat crowd are saying Bush is actively recruiting non-citizens for the military (which he is) because they'll be less hesitant about firing on American citizens when it comes time. Seems like they didn't have a lot of trouble laying fire on women and children at Waco...

[warchild9]

Oh, and the tinhat crowd are saying Bush is actively recruiting non-citizens for the military (which he is) because they'll be less hesitant about firing on American citizens when it comes time. Seems like they didn't have a lot of trouble laying fire on women and children at Waco...

[Hacksaw]

Sepoys

[stumpy]

On March 8th 1965, Maurice (last name forgotten) swore allegiance to both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Constitution right next to me. He did that to speed the process of becoming a United States Citizen. He came to be known as "Frenchie" (French Canadian) amongst the men he served with in 1/9 (First Battalion, 9th Marines), also known as the "Walking Dead". He was one hell of a man.

[DoctorMichael]

................15,000 immigrants serving active duty in the U.S. military: immediate eligibility for citizenship.............

Why am I suddenly remembering THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE by Gibbon?

[Jhoffa_]

The U.S. military requires citizenship or legal permanent resident status of all enlistees.

Good enough for me.. Bring 'em in.