So, the United States Armed Forces are in a recruitment crisis. Well, the fact that the COVID vaccines were made mandatory for military personnel is likely to be one of the main reasons. Yet, that’s not the topic at hand in this post.
In 2008, there was an initiative made by the Defense Department to expand recruitment to non-citizens with certain skills that were highly needed in the military at that time. This program was called Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest. But, in 2017 this program was suspended.
In 2023, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D.-Illinois) introduced a bill called the Enlist Act which would open a pathway for non-citizens to join the US military. Some of the contingencies are 1.) be in the US for 5 years, and 2) have an approved petition for an immigrant visa. This would also include those who entered the country unlawfully as children, who are protected by the DACA program.
Roughly 25% of young adults aged 18-24 meet the requirements to serve, but even fewer of them have the desire to even enlist.
Here’s the latest. Representatives Pat Ryan (D-New York) and John James (R-Michigan) have recently introduced the Courage to Serve Act. This act will give a quicker path to citizenship for migrants who are “vetted and qualified” who serve in the military.
Some of the highlights of the Courage to Serve Act: The legislation would create a pilot program for immigrants to receive an expedited path to citizenship in exchange for military service if they successfully complete multiple U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and FBI background checks. They also must be admissible to the U.S. and otherwise eligible to enlist in the armed forces.
Source: Washington Examiner