Ourview
Soldiers
should become citizens
President Bush has issued an order permitting
green card holders who are on active duty
in the military to immediately apply for
citizenship without having to wait out the
usual three-year waiting time. Similar laws
have been enacted during previous wars such
as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam
War and the previous Persian Gulf War.
Immigrants make up about four to five percent
of total military enlistees and the amount
of non-citizens currently serving in the
U.S. military is more than 37,000. Bush’s
new issue will open up the possibility of
citizenship for any of those 37,000 who
engage in active duty.
So far, citizenship has been granted posthumously
to soldiers that have lost their lives in
this Iraqi war. This is mainly symbolic,
considering citizenship does not benefit
the dead. But in all the coverage the media
have given, the families of the dead have
seemed deeply proud and grateful that their
sons are now citizens.
Who suffers from the death of a family member?
Who make the sacrifice once a loved one
is dead? The families of green card holders
killed in this war are left with a dead,
U.S. citizen.
Critics argue that the government is exploiting
the mostly poor immigrants, mainly from
Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, in
an attempt to boost our military forces.
It is not exploitation to offer extra incentive
to something that is already voluntary.
The government is not going to offer citizenship
to these people anyway, so allowing for
green card holders to join the military
and speed up their citizenship process is
simply offering an extra reward in exchange
for service of the country they wish to
be a part of.
Even though we must always be critical of
the statements that are released from the
White House, they say that “the new policy
is not aimed at boosting recruitment, but
is intended to reward those who volunteer
in the war against terrorism,” the Los Angeles
Times reported.
Although it probably does boost recruitment,
the military does not accept just anyone.
In order to enlist in the U.S. military,
immigrants must already be in possession
of a green card, known officially as a permanent
resident card. Attaining a green card requires
a non-citizen to be sponsored by a U.S.
employer, have close relatives that are
U.S. citizens, or qualify for potential
asylum, the L.A. Times reported.
The people enlisting in the military so
that they can become citizens value citizenship
enough to make such a commitment as military
service. If they willingly take the offer,
they are not being exploited, they are taking
advantage of a unique opportunity. But granting
citizenship posthumously is too little,
too late. When families give up a son or
daughter fighting for the United States,
the United States should show its appreciation
by granting citizenship to the deceased
immediate family. They have made the ultimate
sacrifice.
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