We already allow foreigner to serve in our military for citizenship
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
September 22, 2010 2:46pm CST
By now you have already heard and formed your opinions about the Dream act legislation. If you are not aware of what the Dream act allow I will inform you. This piece of legislation would allow children of illegal immigrates to obtain citizenship by joining the military. I know that some are already labeling this as amnesty, yet I am at a lose on how this is amnesty. Amnesty was the Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 which just so happen was during the Reagen administration.
By point isn't to open a whole can of worms, though I am sure that I will, that foreigners are already serving in the US military. Private First Class Jesus Fonseca was just so happens one of those foreigners who tried to become a US citizen by serving in the military only problem for him was at the age of 19 he died in Iraq from a sniper while seeing action in Ramadi.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUE/is_1_138/ai_n17210831/
3 people like this
10 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
22 Sep 10
I had never heard of this before someone else started a discussion about it and I had to ask. I didn't think that it was the same thing as amnesty but, as a conservative how do you feel about illegals serving in the military? I'm sitting on the fence here on it.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
23 Sep 10
Yeah I just worry about the whole background of the person that's why I'm on the fence.
2 people like this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
22 Sep 10
I don't see a problem with the Dream act, if somebody wants to come to this country then nepotism shouldn't allow them to walk on in. This is America and we have rules, if I wanted to come to this country I would do whatever it took under the law. As an American I would have to obey the rules of another country to do the same. Its not amnesty at all, its called service.
2 people like this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I am opposed to the Dream Act because it is a lot more that military service leading to citizenship. That said for those who are here legally I have no problem. With the strict standards and zero tolerance policy of military recruiters why should we place non citizens ahead of US citizens?
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I see your point. If someone wants to legally come to this country and then join the military to get citizenship that is fine. But by coming here illegally they are breaking the law....so why should they get a "path to citizenship"? Why give them a break....they broke the law. Either come here the right way...or don't come at all.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
23 Sep 10
You are aware that there's more to Reid's Dream Act than military service right? All an illegal alien has to do according to his amendment is complete 2 years of college in this country, which they can do on the taxpayer's dime through federal student loans, and they can do it in a state that gives in-state tuition to illegal aliens as well.
I'm not thrilled about the military service bit because that throws the door wide open for terrorists to join and infiltrate our military. The last thing we need is a string of coordinated Fort Hood like attacks across our country.
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
23 Sep 10
Student loans have to be paid back and if you live in state you should get the same tuition as everyone else. Whats wrong with people become citizens after graduating from college? Now maybe that is not long enough and it should be 4 years but all this does it make a more intelligent nation.
Fort Hood now that is low.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
23 Sep 10
"Student loans have to be paid back"
You can't get those loans forgiven, but there are people who still owe on loans from several decades ago. If someone is already comfortable with breaking our immigration laws, do you really think they will feel any obligation to repay a student loan?
"if you live in state you should get the same tuition as everyone else"
Not according to federal law...
Federal law (Title 8, Chapter 14, Sec. 1623) states: "an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State ... for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit (in no less an amount, duration, and scope) without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident."
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
23 Sep 10
What exactly is "low" about mentioning Fort Hood? The guy was a Muslim terrorist who was a member of our military. He killed several people and his actions were cheered for by terrorists in the Middle East. Do you honestly think they wouldn't love an easier path to actually PLACE people like that in our military?
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
23 Sep 10
From what I have read they can either join the military OR go to college. I don't have an issue with them joining the military to get citizenship. But they should not get it just for going to college.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Sep 10
Gewcew, I'm wondering if anyone else realizes this applies to "illegal immigrants" that came here at the age of 16 or younger. If all of these people who are so opposed to this amendment do know this, it's really sad. These were just children without any choice in the matter! Why should they be punished as criminals?
Annie
@petersum (4522)
• United States
22 Sep 10
And I thought America didn't have a military. Don't you have a part time army? Reservists or whatever you call them? You have to go abroad, fight in a war somewhere, to get your on-the-job training.
Oh, I see! You want to bring the war to American soil? Yes, that's much easier and cheaper!
Damn clever these politicians!
1 person likes this
@petersum (4522)
• United States
22 Sep 10
It is the same but I choose to be ironical. There is a certain inconsistency in policies, particularly between what the politicians want and what the military leadership wants. Also, there may be a very narrow distinction between immigrants earning nationality and cheap labor - not in a financial sense of course, but perceived.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
24 Sep 10
How sad for PFC Fonseca; he paid the ultimate price but isn't even considered to be an "American". I know we already have foreigners fighting in our military. I forget where he was but V.P. Biden was talking about how the swearing in ceremonies in Iraq or Afghanistan of new citizens who are already over there putting there lives on the line is one of the most touching things he's witnessed or participated in. I really don't know how or why anyone could be opposed to allowing those who came here as children with parents that came here illegally to have an opportunity to become legal citizens and make better lives for themselves especially if they're willing to fight to defend our nation.
Annie
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
24 Sep 10
I use to be a person that would have opposed the dream act and I see the same thing from those that oppose the dream act. It is a complex emotional knee jerk reaction when ever I and now them would hear the word illegal alien. It is like the logic part of the brain would just shut down and the emotional part of the brain would kick in. All kinds of fear would just overload the brain. That is the best explanation I can give you.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I don't look upon citizenship through military service as amnesty--it is earning your citizenship and at the same time learning to be a productive citizen, learning the language and cultures of the country. I am willing for my representatives to register a "yes" vote on this!! It's a great idea.
I'm not for the rest of the bill, from what I've heard of it.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
23 Sep 10
Here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act That will explain better than I can. It rewards people who break the law by crashing our borders illegally and gives them a way to turn their crime into citizenship. Meanwhile, others that go through lawful channels wait for years to even get a visitor's visa!
I'm not saying it's a bad concept, but it offers them instate tuition rates when they are illegal immigrants, something denied to visitors who are trying to earn their citizenship legally. I would agree to it if it limited such benefits to those who are legally here.
@aeiou78 (3445)
• Malaysia
23 Sep 10
When I was in the United States of American around the year 1989/1990, I attended a talk which was organized by the Army's commander at our University.
He told us that Non-Americans could never be American's armies.
Before, Non Americans could join US Army, then they would be granted the American's Citizenship.
But now the rules changed.
The US Army would not accept those whom wanted to join US Army just because of the citizenship. That was why the Non-Americans could never be American's armies at that time.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
23 Sep 10
According to my brother, we are allowing foreigners to be serving our military as well. It comes as a surprise to me when I heard there's a Japanese in his company as well as a driver whom came from china! I mean how can this be happening? Though our nation is small, but are we desperate for men to serve in the military? My concern is just like u, what if in case of war times, can we really count of them to fight for our own country? What if it's their very own country fighting against us, who shall they fight for? I'm wondering what are they thinking when they are doing this. Does it really benefit the country?
