This story idea comes courtesy of Officer L. S. a regular contributor. The idea is some what similar to the Braddy Solution to the Iraq war (See 7-26-07 Braddy Solution to Iraq War on Legal Pub where we suggested sending hardened criminals to fight in Iraq.)
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act would allow citizenship for illegal immigrants who volunteer for military service in Iraq. "If they'll serve in the military for two years, or they'll complete two years of college, we can put them on a path to legal status," said Sen. Richard Durbin D-Ill.
The DREAM Act has bipartisan support. On the Republican side, even Sens. John McCain and Chuck Hagel agree. Even Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama support the Bill. The bill is being debated as part of the Defense Reauthorization Bill. Perhaps as many as 360,000 illegal immigrants with high school diplomas and clean criminal records would be eligible for DREAM. This could be a boost to military recruitment, but some argue it takes advantage of the people with few options in life. "I characterize it as a defector draft," said Jose Lara, an advocate for immigrants.
The move is not all that radical for some. Currently over 40,000 "green card soldiers" are serving in Iraq. They are permanent legal resident of the U.S. who have yet to obtain citizenship. So readers, what do you think? As I recall the Roman Empire used mercenaries (hired foreign soldiers) to protect the empire shortly before the crumbling of the empire.
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24 comments:
Not a bad idea. Might as well make them earn citizenship. Right now all you got to do is be good at crossing the border...
Harry
Not sure I would feel safe relying on a bunch of illegal aliens to protect our countries interests.
Bobbi
It may throw off enemy intelligence when our troops start speaking spanish!
Not a defector draft, a cleanup and roundup of illegal imigrant deportation to Iraq.
I am somewhat hostile to those who violate our laws and disrespect our borders. But the fact of the matter is that many are here and, for one reason or another, are going to stay. We need to find a solution.
What is wrong with giving them a chance to give to the country they want to call home in exchange for citizenship?
I really, really like the idea.
In spite of much negative publicity, most illegal immigrants are honest (other than that border thing) and hard working. An opportunity to stand equally beside an American as an American and fight for the county they both love would probably be well received by the illegal immigrant community.
If it was not, I would wonder “you just came here to take or can you give too?”
I do, each and every day.
L.S.
L.S. Thanks for your idea for the story and for your comment. Most of the illegal immigrants are from Mexico and Cuba. But how would you feel if a lot of illegal immigrants from the middle east infiltrated a platoon you were in stationed in Iraq? Still so trusting of the night guard on watch?
Still like Legal Pub's Braddy Solution to Iraq the best!
Penny
Actually, Penny, the DREAM act is more practical and might just work.
And it also would be a cheaper solution since you would probably have to pay illegal immigrants less to work than criminals who are used to making lots of money.
I’m sure there would be ways to check background to some extent. I agree there are problems with the idea. But I do think it is a workable solution. A good service discharge is a most valuable document and opens so many doors.
L.S.
The law is the law. Illegal immigrants are crooks just like the ones advocated to be used in the Braddy Solution. You are just substituting one kind of a law breaker for another.
Pops
It is true that the law is the law…but one neat thing about our law is it can be changed. We have the concept of pardon well established in our law and I see no problem with legislating a pardon for this particular group of law breakers.
L.S.
It starts to sound ok until you look at it potentially opening up a flood of illegals into the US. We have enough issues with training and maintaining high quality troops without doing something like this. Close and secure the borders and then talk about amnesty and DREAMS.
Close the borders. Lock down. (Are we locking us in or others out?)
Jill
Locking the border 1st sounds like a good idea.
L.S.
If you want to come in to this country - come in legally. We can not condone illegal behavior. This idea makes it OK and I think this would be a bad precedent.
True enough…but consider the alternatives…what are they?
These illegals are here and they’re going to stay…I’d say it’s close to smoking crack-rock to say we could, or should, get them out. Rounding up…what 20 million?...people and forcing them to go is just not going to happen. Period.
So we have these people here with no real way to get “legal”. But they go to our hospitals, use our schools, drive our roads, etc…they “use” stuff and cost us money. True enough, they work for damn near free (the real reason the law was never enforced…every society likes to have an underclass/slaves/work-for-nothing group) but if we’re going to let them stay (see above) we must give them a way to climb out of the lower-than-minimum wage bracket.
I say we have essentially already pardoned their entry by allowing them to stay and accepting their labor for our societies’ benefit. Relegating them to second class non-citizens forever is just wrong.
Close the border with machine guns, laser beams, nuclear weapons, and hungry pit-bulls (bet we won’t because we want the cheap labor). And then give those who have not further violated our laws the opportunity to become Americans in this manner.
I’m going catch flack for this…but oh well.
I think all citizens should do time “under arms”. If you don’t, you’re just free riding on others. You sleep safe at night because others fight the darkness for you.
Spend some time being the defender rather than the defended…you’ll see life differently and value this county, home, family, and hearth a lot more.
Every able bodied American male should take a turn “on watch”.
Want to be an American? Take a turn at the wall.
L.S.
L.S:
You are right, the Feds are big on talk and little on action. They are not doing their jobs and we should all be ashamed of them. Why have immigration laws if the Border Patrol, Immigration Department, and others do not uphold the law. We need to fire those who ignore their job responsibilities now.
All the talk about changing the immigration law is useless if you are afraid or unwilling to enforce it, no matter what the law.
We won't shut down the borders because our economy needs cheap labor. Migrant workers pick our crops and do the jobs the rest of us do not want to do...
Dollar Bill
LS - 'every able-bodied American male' - what about the able-bodied females? And should they all do time in the military, or would there be alternative services? (police work, or VISTA-type programs ...)
It's an interesting idea, I'd like to hear more.
I think in Israel it is mandatory for both males and females. Females, however, need not be assigned to combat roles.
I think in Israel it is mandatory for both males and females. Females, however, need not be assigned to combat roles.
I think every male should, as a matter of course. As for females, I support their ability to go if they chose but would not support their having to unless it was necessary for the survival of our republic.
We seem to be bereft of a warrior class…we’re a bit thin on the bench here. Might not be a bad idea to “thicken the bench” here a bit.
L.S.
The plan may have hit a snag. As updated on another thread:
Update 10-24 07 : To no one's surprise, Harrell Franklin Braddy, who was convicted of murder for leaving a 5-year-old girl to be eaten alive by alligators in the Everglades, was sentenced to death last week by Judge Leonard Glick. Potential appeals will be exhausted before any exectution is carried out.
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