White House Beats Congress to the Punch; Aliens Enlisting in Military

While the House of Representatives ponders two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would allow illegal aliens to enroll in the military, the White House has decided not to wait for the debate’s outcome.

Congressional push to allow foreign nationals in military is a dangerous idea.

According to the U.S. Army, 81 unlawful immigrants previously granted deferred action for childhood arrivals have enlisted. The Army had earlier estimated the total alien enrollment at 46.

Last September, the Pentagon announced that it would allow aliens access to the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program. In other words, the Pentagon considers illegal immigrants “vital” to national security, possibly the most insulting of the dozens of advocacy arguments to promote more alien entitlements. Allowing aliens to serve in the military affronts veterans, offends patriotic Americans and could put the nation at greater risk since the new enrollees’ first allegiance may be to another country.

Moreover, since the all-volunteer military has little difficulty meeting recruitment goals, it has become more selective in reviewing its candidates, and has no need to fill the few available slots with foreign nationals. As one Army recruiting station manager put it, “We’re turning down twice as many as before.”

The pro-alien amendments passed the House Armed Services Committee, but will face a difficult challenge to go further. Mo Brooks (R-SC) expressed outrage that as the Army is downsizing and issuing pink slips to soldiers in Afghanistan, some in Congress want to deprive Americans of the opportunity to serve, and instead give that chance to illegal immigrants.

Brooks, an Armed Services Committee member, also noted that “Illegal aliens are already taking jobs from and suppressing the wages of struggling American families in the private job market.” Last year, Jeff Denham (R-CA) introduced similar legislation, the Enlist Act, which never made it to the floor for a full vote.

Please go to the CAPS Action Alert page here to tell your representative to oppose pro-amnesty amendments in the National Defense Authorization Act.