[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.

[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...

[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.

[Poohbah]

There is the issue of fraudulent enlistment. But even that can be overlooked by honorable service. I had a Gunnery Sergeant who fraudulently enlisted to go to Vietnam (underage--16). They didn't catch it until he was almost ready to retire. The JAG decided to not file charges, as he'd done much in his 20 years--not just combat, but risking his life on search and rescue missions, and he did a fine job of training Marines during two DI tours at Parris Island.