Let DREAMers Serve in Uniform
By Reps. Ruben Gallego, Ann Kirkpatrick and Kyrsten Sinema
The security of our nation should come before political posturing, and our military should be allowed to recruit the best and the brightest individuals capable of honorably and faithfully defending our nation.
Immigrants have been fighting in America’s Armed Forces since the founding of the Republic. For most of our history, an individual’s ability to serve came down to his or her capabilities, skills and willingness to swear allegiance to our Constitution and to fight for our cause. It was understood that on the field of battle, a new recruit’s place of birth did not diminish his or her valor or patriotism.
While the commitment of immigrants has not changed over the years, the sad truth is that some in Congress are trying to prevent talented, capable young people from taking the oath of allegiance and honorably serving in uniform.
An untold number of DREAMers — undocumented youth brought to this country as children — want to join the U.S. military. They grew up in our communities, pledge allegiance to our flag, and see military service as a way to serve the nation they know as home. As Jose, a DREAMer from Phoenix who was rejected at his local recruiting office, has said, “I want to serve my country to show how grateful I am for all it has provided me.”
Under current law, the Secretary of Defense can authorize the enlistment of non-citizens — including undocumented immigrants — when, in the Secretary’s judgment, doing so would be “vital to the national interest.” With an array of threats facing our nation, we need the best, brightest and most dedicated to enlist and serve our country.
As Rep. Mac Thornberry, the Republican Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee stated in a recent debate on the issue, “The Secretary has authority to fill critical needs, whatever they may be, with individuals, however they may have gotten here.” The Department of Defense (DOD) already allows a small number of DREAMers who possess critically-needed language and technical skills to join the military through a program called Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI).
We strongly believe this initiative should be expanded because it is in the best interest of our national security.
Unfortunately, even the modest MAVNI program is now under threat. An amendment offered by Rep. Paul Gosar to the annual Department of Defense spending bill would prevent DOD from enlisting any DREAMer who has been granted protection from deportation by the President. This misguided measure would block the Department of Defense from recruiting from a talented pool of individuals with linguistic skills and cultural knowledge that could make a difference on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Absent Congressional action to reform our nation’s immigration laws, it would also foreclose the dream of military service for undocumented young people across the country who do not currently qualify under MAVNI.
The strength of our military is defined not just by the potency of our weapons but by the quality of our people. That’s why the DREAM Act — legislation providing lawful immigration status and a path to citizenship for undocumented young people — has long been supported by the Pentagon. Our Armed Forces need the best to make the best soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. Simply put, we shouldn’t let our broken immigration system stand in the way of allowing DREAMers to serve our nation.
Arizonans of both parties recognize that this is detrimental to our national security and deeply unjust. Congress should reject this amendment outright. The Department of Defense should continue to recruit the best and the brightest, and DREAMers — Americans in every respect except on paper — should have the chance to protect the country they love by serving in America’s Armed Forces.
Follow us on Twitter: @RepRubenGallego, @RepKirkpatrick, @KyrstenSinema
