Immigrants who earn U.S. citizenship
The American Legion’s position on immigration is nuanced. We fiercely oppose illegal immigration and awarding benefits to those who have broken the law to enter our country. At the same time, however, we are compassionate and fair. Citizenship in the United States is not a cheap entitlement awarded to anybody who crosses our borders but instead a privilege to be bestowed.
Rarely can a single policy initiative address two problems. But Resolution 15, passed unanimously by the American Legion National Executive Committee during its meeting in Indianapolis last fall, does just that. Simply put, it calls for Congress to pass measures that would fast-track citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. military. It improves readiness and delivers fairness to a group that merits it.
The military branches are struggling to meet, and in some cases falling short of, their recruiting goals. What better incentive for a young otherwise law-abiding Dreamer to join our military than to be rewarded with a privilege that is truly earned?
Instead of asking for in-state college tuition rates, these immigrants can serve our country and then use GI Bill benefits they have earned. Nobody wishes to reward illegal behavior. This is an opportunity to pay back the United States for the privilege of becoming an American.
If someone loves the United States enough to risk his or her life defending it, there’s more than a good chance that person would be an outstanding citizen.
The American Legion has long recognized the contributions that immigrants have made to the United States. Many American Legion posts, districts and departments provide naturalization orientation classes, teaching English, U.S. history and civics to those seeking citizenship. I am also proud to point out that The American Legion has a national resolution calling for the expedited granting of citizenship to honorably discharged veterans who have already been deported and do not have felony convictions.
These steps should not be seen in any way as a weakening of our emphasis on border security. The American Legion still calls for the construction of physical barriers at our borders, a sufficient number of border patrol agents and federalization of National Guard troops to assist in security operations. We still have a firm stance against using taxpayer dollars to fund sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities on reporting the immigration status of those who violate laws. And as some politicians shamefully call for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), The American Legion recognizes the essential contribution border patrol agents make to our national security, and we commit our steadfast support to them.
Rafael Peralta was born in Mexico and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps the day he received his green card. Deportation is no longer a possibility for him. That’s because he gave his life when he fell on an enemy grenade and saved his fellow infantrymen while serving in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. Do you think he earned the dream?