Illegal immigrants can't be in military
On June 15, President Obama announced his immigration order deferring the deportation of certain illegal/undocumented aliens. On July 3, Congressman Raul Grijalva held a local meeting to discuss the order.
The order defers the deportation of those illegal/undocumented aliens between 16 and 30 years of age, in high school, graduated high school or who have obtained a GED or served in the military.
According to Grijalva, as reported in the Yuma Sun the next day, the executive order is a “window of opportunity. We hope many people benefit from it, people who served in active duty in the military and then returned to face deportation, or students who received scholarships to the best universities in this country and because of their (immigration) status can't accept them.”
According to U.S. Code (10 USC 504), illegal/undocumented aliens CANNOT enlist in the military. At a minimum, a person must already be legally admitted for permanent residence to enlist.
An exception in the code applies only to people of national vital interest that the military is pursuing. This is not an exception intended for random undocumented/illegal alien applicants trying to enlist.
I'd like to know who these politicians know who actually served in the military as an undocumented/illegal alien.
I'd like to know why these politicians spread the lie of opportunity in the military as an undocumented/illegal alien.
I'd like to know why these politicians aren't aware of their own laws and codes that they are responsible for.
I served 24 years in the military and retired in 2007. The last 17 years were served in recruiting. I recruited throughout the Southwest and served in operations and several command positions. I checked the codes and they haven't changed since 2007.
Throughout my proud service and now into my retirement, I feel insulted when the general public — but most of all when politicians (particularly those who never served) — consider the military a social panacea (defined as “a remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all”).
Having served in the military in order to meet the certain criteria for staying in the USA if you are an undocumented/illegal alien is not an option. The president insists his order is not a path to citizenship. Obtaining legal resident status is the path to citizenship and also the minimum requirement for enlistment.
I don't imagine any lines or protests will be forming demanding entrance into the military in order to meet the criteria. The price to pay in order to reap the great benefits from serving in the U.S. military is not easy or free.
I am writing this letter to defend the honor of my fellow service members past and present who served or are serving this great country legally.
For those who don't know, enlisting and serving in the U.S. military is a privilege. It's definitely easier to become a politician than meet the enlistment standards of today's military.
John Lowndes
Yuma
