Immigrants in military can become citizens

AccessAtlanta ^ | July 4, 2002 | Pythagoras

[grimalkin]

It was requested that the original story title be used when posting. It helps to prevent duplicates.

[Pythagoras]

Ok sure. Sorry about that. I just figured out how to post topics :)

[Notasoccermom]

I don't know anything about these matters but would this not make it easier for the enemy to infilltrate?

[Bringbackthedraft]

I'm willing to bet that most are hispanic. Probably mostly mexican and I have no problem with that.

[ibme]

If you’re willing to stick your neck out, you’ve bought a ticket, as for as I’m concerned.

[Dante3]

This is absurd. It provides scores of options for terrorits.

[rabidralph]

If you're familiar with the induction process when you enlist, they ask you a ton of personal questions, including your SSN. It's a regular background investigation. If any terrorists want to sign up, the government might look a little closer at their application if they list their previous addresses as the West Bank, Sudan, Afghanistan, etc.

[FITZ]

If they're hispanic and willing to die for this country, I'm all for letting them become citizens quicker but I hope they aren't opening this up to all Middle Easterners.

[PhiKapMom]

Did you even bother to read the article before replying?

It states that they are already in the military! These people have their necks on the line for this Country and that speaks volumes to me that they have "earned" their citizenship by defending the rest of us!

[BluH2o]

A White House paper outlining the change to immigration policy described it as a way to reward noncitizen personnel serving in active duty during the post-Sept. 11 war on terrorism. Citizenship, in turn, will improve the retention of military personnel by allowing them to advance their Armed Forces careers, the White House said.

Speaking as a former Marine, at the time of my enlistment a Canadian citizen, I'm not buying into this Bush bunk about improving the retention rate. Fact is (as stated in the article) you're entitled to U.S. citizenship after a three year period. Most enlistments are 3 or 4 years and any person showing potential during that period will be advanced in rank, citizen or not. After three years, should an enlisted person take out their U.S. citizenship, having reasonable academic credentials can go on to become an officer. Shortening the cycle serves no real purpose, except of course, a political one. Bush recently signed a bill giving many illegal emigrants amnesty. This is just more of the same ...

[Dante3]

I see no point in giving citizenship to foreing mercenaries. I doubt most of them are in the military out of a great love for this country.

[hchutch]

I agree. Any reasonable person knows that joining the military has its more than its share of risk. I'm all for putting those immigrants who join at the front of the line.

[Razwan]

I doubt most of them are in the military out of a great love for this country.

I work at an MOS producing school, and one of the first things we do with the FNGs is have them introduce themselves, tell us why they joined the Army, etc.

Most of the non-native born are there because they want to give something back to the country that took them and their families in; most of the native borns are there because of the college fund or enlistment bonuses, and are not afraid to say that

[Libertarian_4_eva]

This applies to Filipinos who join the navy more then any other group of non citizens.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Rick Rescorla
British citizen

[general_re]

I'll throw my agreement in here, too. As far as I'm concerned, those who would do such a thing have a right to be at the head of the line when it comes to becoming a part of this country.

I forget where, but I once saw a proposal that we should create a foreign legion in the US, composed entirely of citizens of other nations. Let them serve, and serve with distinction, and make citizenship a part of their reward for service faithfully rendered. Makes a lot more sense to me than the blood ties we use now for determining who can immigrate - you know right up front that they've already given something back to the country, rather than coming in and taking without giving in return...

[Bringbackthedraft]

Middle easterners that come to this country are usually clanish and move to neighborhoods where they can find members of their own ethnic group. They come here and start business so they can earn money and bring in more relatives from overseas. When they move into an area they stay to themselves, so don't expect to find them at community activities and meetings. They are very merchant minded and to find one at a recruitng station is extremely rare.

[Pyro7480]

My cousin (from my dad's side) came to this country from Mindanao only a few years ago, and he's now a Marine. After Mexicans, Filipinos are the largest immigrant group in this country, and all the ones I know are proud Americans!

[Poohbah]

I see no point in giving citizenship to foreing mercenaries. I doubt most of them are in the military out of a great love for this country.

Thank you for your input.