Immigrants who serve in our military exemplify American values and deserve to be citizens. We need to expand this pathway to citizenship, not limit it.
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By Jeffrey Roth, USA TODAY
Up until recently, the Defense Department was discharging immigrants who were on a path to naturalization through their military service. While it remains unclear why these discharges began, our government should bear in mind that those who serve this country, regardless of where they were born, are exactly the type of people we should actively recruit to become U.S. citizens.
Military service as a pathway for immigrants to become naturalized citizens is in the best interest of the U.S. for several reasons. First, through their military service, these immigrants prove they’re willing to do their part to not only represent American values, but act on them. And not every American does. In fact, out of more than 250 million adults in America today, less than 1 percent serve actively (or approximately 2.4 million in the active, reserve and guard components). Only about 20 million of the U.S. adults alive today, or about 8 percent, are veterans.
[post_ads]A small community of Americans has made this kind of outsized contribution. Simply by putting a hand in the air, a service member has made a pledge to do his or her duty and to support this country in ways few others ever have or ever will. Immigrants who are willing to take this pledge exemplify the spirit of service to others that we hope to see in all U.S. citizens.
We can't afford to turn away immigrants
Second, our military has a long tradition of embracing immigrant service members. In World War I, 18 percent of the armed forces were foreign born, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The tradition of volunteering for military service among immigrants has continued ever since: approximately 5,000 immigrants join the armed forces each year. And most immigrants who serve choose the path to citizenship. Since October 2001, the U.S. naturalized over 125,000 immigrants through a special provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
At a time when the Army has lowered its recruitment goal targets, unable to attract 80,000 new recruits, we can ill afford to turn away qualified, willing new members of the military. While immigrant recruits alone aren’t a panacea for solving recruitment woes, their numbers add up to an important contribution to our fighting forces.
Third, immigrant service members have proven they possess unique abilities — the kind of abilities that will make our country stronger. Learning how to balance the demands of military service with family life, adapting to a new culture, going to school and improving their language skills, to name just a few, demonstrates the kind of grit, determination and flexibility that immigrant service members possess. From my own experience in the military as a long-time National Guardsman, I have personally witnessed immigrant service members display high levels of leadership, exemplify a service-oriented attitude and participate, through their military service, in the strengthening of our country. What’s more, immigrants who serve in the military also generally bring with them a host of cultural insights and language skills that can prove invaluable in our nation’s engagements across the globe.
Finally, military service provides service members with valuable skills. Service can mean acquiring technical and language skills, leadership experience and massive responsibility early in one’s career. These skills are often highly lucrative in our economy. Individuals who have this kind of experience, character and commitment are the kinds of people we should want to be our fellow citizens.
Those who serve in military deserve citizenship
For these reasons, we should expand pathways for people to acquire citizenship after completion of military service, not limit them. Those who serve epitomize the very essence of what it means to be a good citizen.
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I know first-hand the unique sacrifice that members of the National Guard must make. We serve part time, generally one weekend every month coupled with a two-week training event sometime during the year. Those who serve part time, while also maintaining a civilian job, attending school, supporting a family, and managing all the other responsibilities of modern life, know and meet the challenges of balancing multiple and competing priorities. Only the most committed to service among us can endure hardships such as these.
While this country may be deeply divided on issues involving immigration, naturalization through military service is an excellent means for capable, competent and honorable people to become citizens. They do a service to our country while they wear the uniform, and we as a nation reap the benefits of their experience once they’ve completed their tours. We should consider ourselves fortunate to have any and all who’ve served join the ranks of our citizenry. And our country will be stronger for it.
Jeffrey Roth is the Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and long-serving member of the National Guard. The views expressed here are his own. Follow him on Twitter: @rothjeff.
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