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Red tape gets in the way of those who serve U.S.

Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 - 05:35:35 am MST

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To the Editor:

Why the red tape? Why insult legal resident aliens (immigrants) who join the U.S. military to serve their unappreciative country? Why place a hurdle to become an American citizen?

Dr. Robert Mackey did some research and found the following: “Currently, there is an expedited process for naturalization of veterans and serving military personnel, under INA Section 328 and 329 (328 is the peacetime service exemption, 329 is the wartime service exemption). In general, if an immigrant serves honorably in wartime, even for a single day, they are allowed to apply for citizenship. While this does greatly speed the process, it is not enough. Service itself should bestow citizenship, not “moral character,” “English proficiency” and “Knowledge of Civics” tests. Three years of honorable service in peacetime and any service in wartime should result in automatic citizenship for both the service member and their immediate families. Combat wounded and medically discharged personnel should have the same automatic citizenship.”

Dr. Mackey, lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army (retired), is a combat veteran of the invasion of Panama, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assistant professor of military history at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and served on the Army Staff and Joint Staff at the Pentagon. He is a regular contributor to Military History and World War II magazines, and is the author of “The UnCivil War: Irregular Warfare in the Upper South, 1861-1865” (2004, 2005). Dr. Mackey is currently a consultant at the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Mackey feels there is an additional insult to the red tape returning war-veteran, legal resident aliens go through to become citizens “… the real insult is when politicians and pundits, many of whom have never served a day in uniform, and whose children are far too precious to send to the wars they start, cannot recognize the fact that immigrants — documented and undocumented — are more than willing to serve this nation if given the opportunity.”

Who is a real patriot? The American-born citizen who goes to college, gets educated and gets a good job without ever serving our great country; or the legal resident alien who joins the military to “earn” the ability to become an American citizen in somewhat less time than other legal resident aliens?

Is this not the “land of the free and home of the brave”? (Apparently, the definition of “the brave” has a new meaning.)

Why the red tape?

Jorge Valenzuela

Naco, Ariz.

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Cheyenne wrote on Aug 11, 2008 6:55 AM:

" Cav Scout, Money? 84+ hrs a week. I dont make six figures over here. This is not about money or more soldiers on the ground. This is about an insult to all who contribute to the well being of our country. Every citizen who obeys the laws, contributes taxes and votes. The government did not make the promise of citizenship for foreign nationals who serve in the US military. They said it could expedite approval of citizenship. There was no guarantee of citizenship. "

CAV SCOUT wrote on Aug 10, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Would Cheyenne enjoy being shot at for a lower pay, I doubt it. There are reasons a contractor works overseas, money. The army needs more boots on the ground. If offering U.S. citizenship through enlistment increases the streanth of our armed forces. I am for it. In a world where a female illigal can sneak over and have a baby here and that baby is a U.S. citizen, I think milatary service would be an attractive alternative to someone who would like to be a U.S. citizen. Of course, back ground and security checks would apply. "

Cheyenne wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:47 AM:

" Jorge V, I am not and have not been in the US Armed Forces. I guess, by your definition, I'm at the lower end of the patriotic scale or not a patriot at all. I spent 2 years in Afghanistan and 1 1/2 years in Iraq getting shot at. I am still here in Iraq. I do not see you here. We wont discuss bravery. I do not appreciate your insults to me or my fellow citizens. Since you seem dissatisfied with MY country, the USA, LEAVE! Go back to your country, belly ache and utter your insults from there. "

Langer wrote on Aug 8, 2008 12:09 AM:

" While I'm absolutely appreciative of the honorable military service of anyone, I certainly don't agree with Mr. Valenzuela. Automatic citizenship? No way. I can just see a tremendous influx of bad guys to join the military, gain automatic citizenship after a short term of honorable service, then turn around and start building bombs to bury us. The moral character, knowledge of English and civics are absolutely vital to assimilation into our (unhyphenated) American culture.

And automatic citizenship for family members? Somehow that makes it all sound like a big scheme. "

Aaron Tebo wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:57 PM:

" Who are the people? And what are they doing in the Philippine's? "

Aaron Tebo wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:55 PM:

" Who are the people? And what are they doing in China? "

Just a Kid wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:07 PM:

" Although I do agree with Mr. Valenzuela to a point, I hold the belief that one does not have to join any armed force in order to serve this country. There are many potential careers which indirectly benefit the American public, including teachers, doctors, and even the engineers and scientists who help our society move forward technologically. I urge you not to take these things for granted. Our soldiers, no matter what nationality, deserve the utmost respect for what they do, but it is also those who keep the gears of society turning who we should thank as well. "

Mikey wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Mr Valenzuela. By your reasoning I guess the Vice President of the United States isn't a real patriot because he hasn't served in the Armed Forces. He is an "American-born citizen who went to college (and got several draft deferments), got educated, and got several good jobs without ever serving (in the Armed Forces) our great country". Patriotism just isn't defined by having served in the Armed Forces. "

Republican wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:31 AM:

" Not every swinging Joe should be a US citizen. They volunteered to be in our military with no promise of citizenship. How dare they try and use that against the country that is paying for their stay here. If they don't like it then they should get out of the military and go back to their own country. "

GREM wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:46 AM:

" Well said Mr. Valenzuela, I fully agree with you. The U.S.Navy used to have a program that allowed Filipinos to achieve citizenship after serving a tour with the Navy. Should be a very fast track for those who serve honorably in any of the Services. "