Should illegal aliens serve in the military?

There may a provision in the immigration bill to provide "a way for high-achieving children of undocumented or illegal residents to join the military and, ultimately, become citizens." I would love to know your opinion on this. From the Department of Defense website Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, hopes the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM provision, "won’t fall off the radar screen." (big hat tip to Ortho at Baudrillard's Bastard)

“In other words, if you had come across (the border) with your parents, yet you were a minor child and have been in the U.S. school system for a number of years, then you could be eligible to enlist,” he said. “And at the end of that enlistment, then you would be eligible to become a citizen.”

Because the provision would have applied only to the “cream of the crop” of students who have demonstrated top aptitude, it would have been “very appealing” to the military, Carr said. “It would have been good for readiness,” he said.

While President Bush returns to Washington to help revive the stalled immigration reform package, Carr said talk is already taking place to see if at least the DREAM provision of the stalled bill can proceed.

At this point, he said, “we are not sure if the Congress would be interested in resurrecting that segment of the bill.”

Certain non-citizens have been eligible to enlist in the military since the Revolutionary War. Today, about 35,000 non-citizens serve in the military, and about 8,000 permanent resident aliens enlist every year, said Marine Maj. Stuart Upton, a Pentagon spokesman.

The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act established uniform citizenship or residency requirements for enlisting in the military. President Bush's executive order allowing non-citizens to apply for citizenship after only one day of active-duty military service remains in effect, Upton said. (DOD)

Other immigration:
Tancredo throws down the gauntlet to the Senate, Freedom of Philadelphia

123Beta, Right Truth deserves a Fatwa
Woman Honor Thyself, Father's Day OTA

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

Comments

[Huitzilopochtli]

i find it very ironic that a document can change the prospective of someones mind about a person,you people make me sick.

[Debbie]

Lucas: Thank you for leaving your comment and sharing your personal situation. The children who are brought here by their parents illegally, grow up all their lives in the US, are the ones who are really hurt. It limits what you can do because you are not legal.

[lucas]

whats going on everyone...i was reading some of these comments and couldnt help but give my 2 cents...my name is lucas i was born in brazil and moved here when i was just 2 years old...my parents came here legally with a visa and over stayed the time limit...now i am an "illegal" i graduated highschool and without a greencard there isnt much i could do with my life my one and only dream is to join the national gaurd and one day make a career as a police officer... but the possibility to do this doesnt look good for me...it hurts to hear all the harsh things ppl say about illegals but not everyone should be punished...thanks

[dr]

I have a military past and I have to say shutup, already. Yes maybe a look at security so that nuts and freaks don't get in through heavy background checks. If someone is willing to die to save my family and my friends I will take it and honour them. Amen and end of that crap. If you knew the place that they have to go to survive a tour of duty and protect your ass you would respect them. Regardless of colour and place that they came from.

[Ronnysgirl]

I don't like it either, I mean look...
So long as they are still marching in our streets and waving a Mexican flag or what ever...
How can we expect any loyalty to the U.S.?
I don't like it unless maybe like Stormwarning said:
"On the front line."

[Debbie]

I agree with you completely, FaultlineUSA. Secure the border first.

[Faultline USA]

My own feeling is that nothing should “go forward” until the border is secured! It’s very easy to cherry-pick provisions of the amnesty bill that we personally approve, but my feeling is that every inch given weakens our resolve and bargaining power against this dreadful amnesty.

[Debbie]

Thanks for the link Sam Pierce. I was shocked at Lott's statements about bloggers and talk radio. Folks will remember on election day. He's gone over to the dark side.

[Sam Pierce]

http://conservablogs.com/conservativecommonman/2007/06/16/a-new-american-revolution-fought-with-words-and-ideas/

[Debbie]

Illegals are already serving in the military, this amendment to the bill would just insure their citizenship when they get out, if I read it correctly.

What kind of background checks are being done? Could just anybody join up? They would have access to military information. What an opportunity for terrorists.

[Anthony]

I don't like it. Rome did the same thing just before the Empire fell...

[LomaAlta]

I think it is a terrible idea. Staff our military with people loyal to a foreign power; one always against the US? Fasy way to lose security and sovereignty.

How about deporting them and letting them serve in the armed forces of their own country?

[Thomas Hamilton]

No. They are criminals.

They should be rounded up and deported.

[vause]

WEll, I am not sure if this a good idea or not. Maybe they can create a foreign legion or something like the French do. The problem with letting non-citizens join is that they don't understand what they are fighting for. And lets not forget that potential terrorist my get into our military system? Any comments?

[A.C. McCloud]

Brings to mind Ali Mohammed for some reason.

[Stormwarning]

On the front line.