Anyone remember when I called this one several months ago... Tom do you remember?:p

Political Mavens » U.S. Army Wants to Enlist Illegals

Under the terms as described in the article I would have no objection to a person who came here as a minor ;and who was later recruited to join the military ,getting a fast track to citizenship.

Army Wants to Enlist Illegals

Quote:

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"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

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Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on one's point of view, the Army doesn't make this decision; it is up to the politicians. I like the idea that illegals go home, all of them; and get in the back of the line. The military should not be a shortcut for illegals.

This is not really about immigration; it's a military need.

Abdul Qadir said Iraq should be able to assume internal security command by 2012, but border security would need bolstering until 2018, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

There is no need for illegals to join if the issue is recruitment . We maintained a much larger volunteer force in the 1980s than we have today ,and our population has grown since then. I just happen to think it is a fair plan under the circumstances. The illegal child had no choice when they crossed the border. They have lived here for years and have utilized our services ;including the school system. If they are being recruited then the umbilical cord has been cut;they are adults... and if the plan is deportation then by all means deport the parents.

Tom, what does 1980 have to do with it. From the same article: The Army recruited 5,101 active-duty soldiers in May, 399 short of its 5,500-soldier goal, the Defense Department recently announced.

Foreigners in the U.S. military are nothing new. Apparently, there are more than 30,000 non citizens serving now. Max Boot says that historically the percentage was much higher, with around 20 percent of Union soldiers being immigrants.

Now I do realize that times have changed from the 1800's and a great deal more screening would be required today, but I have no problem with illegals serving in the military as a path to citizenship.