Thread: Enlisting Could Be Fast Track to Citizenship

Enlisting Could Be Fast Track to Citizenship
Senate Will Debate DREAM Act This Week
Sept. 23, 2007 —


The Senate will debate a proposal this week billed by some as a creative solution to two of the nation's hot-button issues -- immigration and the Iraq war.

If passed, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act promises a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who volunteer for military service.

"If they'll serve in the military for two years, or they'll complete two years of college, we can put them on a path to legal status," said Sen. Richard Durbin D-Ill.

The DREAM act has bipartisan support. On the Republican side, it's one of the few war-related measures Sens. John McCain and Chuck Hagel agree on. And the Democratic sponsors include Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The measure comes up for debate this week, as part of the massive Defense Reauthorization Bill. Some estimate about 360,000 illegal immigrants with high school diplomas and clean criminal records would be eligible.

The proposal presents answer for the military, which has had recruitment problems following a deadly and drawn out war in Iraq.

However, some immigration reform advocates believe DREAM would take advantage of the people who have the fewest options in life.

"I characterize it as a defector draft," said Jose Lara, an immigration reform advocate.

Green-Card Soldiers

Currently, more than 40,000 so-called green-card soldiers serve in Iraq. They are military personnel who are permanent legal residents of the United States, but not citizens.

Spc. Zeida Nino, serving in Baghdad, said being a green-card soldier gave her a fast track to citizenship.

But illegal immigrants are not allowed to enlist.

"The question is, 'What should we do with them,'" Durbin said. "Should we give them a chance to go on and serve this nation and make it a better place, or tell them to leave? I think it's better to use their skills."

Even though previous attempts at comprehensive immigration reform failed, some wonder if DREAM really is the best solution.

"We're looking for any option -- anything," Lara said, "and what they're giving us is, 'Go in to the military, die in Iraq, possibly come back maimed and then possibly gain citizenship.'"

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http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3639418&page=1

Currently, more than 40,000 so-called green-card soldiers serve in Iraq. They are military personnel who are permanent legal residents of the United States, but not citizens.

But illegal immigrants are not allowed to enlist.

Giving the legislative OK to allowing ILLEGAL ALIENS to serve in any "Uniformed Services", especially the military is a dangerous and precedent setting ploy to giving amnesty to illegals while at the same time staffing up the military with recruits of questionable loyality to the U.S.

Do not let this happen, CALL YOUR SENATORS!!!

Tell the Senators' staffer that you are incensed that illegal aliens would be put into the military so the "leadership" can keep enough cannon fodder in the middle east. It is absolutely unacceptable to put illegal aliens into the military who are serving for nothing more than their green card next to patriotic American citizens who are fighting for their love of country. The military draft should be instituted before this disparity be allowed. Why does the senator feel it is so important to allow illegal aliens into our uniformed services?

What soldier wants to be on the battlefield with a self-serving illegal
alien watching his back?

To allow illegal aliens to serve in the United States Military , is nothing short of Treason.

I’m sorry it makes me made as Beeep when theses reporters pass opinions instead of reporting the news … America does not want this so called Green-Card Soldiers