Lawmakers are pushing for a faster pathway to Citizenship for Migrants who serve in the U.S. Military. It comes after talks about Overhauling the Border and the U.S. Immigration system Fell through this week, after Months of Negotiations.
Reps. John James (R-MI, 10th District) and Pat Ryan (D-NY, 18th District), are introducing the "Courage to Serve Act," which would put Qualified and Vetted Migrants into an expedited lane to eventually become U.S. citizens, if they serve in the Armed Forces.
According to the Text of the Bill, the Legislation would create a Pilot Program that would apply to People with No Lawful Permanent Status, like Asylum Seekers and Migrants waiting for Work Authorization. They would require Vetting by both the FBI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Qualified Migrants could apply for Lawful Permanent Residency, within 180 days of Enlisting in the Military, the Text said.
Their Applications would be Expedited after Three years of "honorable service in the Armed Forces," Pne year in an Active Duty zone, or 30 days in a designated Combat Zone.
The Application would Not guarantee Citizenship, and the Applicant would still have to be Admissible under existing U.S. Immigration Law.
Lawful Permanent Residency is often the Slowest portion of the Citizenship Process. The Lawmakers reason that the Process would be Faster for those who Serve. James and Ryan, both Veterans, cited the need for Immigration Reform and solving the Military’s Recruitment Crisis in Statements on their Bill.
"If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen," Ryan said.
He also took a swipe at the Failed Negotiations over an Immigration and Border Ccompromise. "Earlier this week, partisan posturing got in the way of passing significant immigration reform," Ryan said. "But I’m not giving up the fight. I’ll keep pushing every day for concrete, practical and actionable measures to secure our border, address critical military recruiting shortfalls and help immigrants already in this country build a better life for their families."
"Some of the heroes Pat and I served with in Iraq were immigrants, and I can’t think of a more deserving person to become an American citizen than immigrants who are willing to serve in our military," James said. He cited Statistics that the Army missed its Recruitment Goal by 25% in 2022.
"Immigration is both an economic and moral imperative, and giving specific America-loving immigrants who want to serve the country the chance to become citizens is a no-brainer," James said.
An effort to pass $118 billion in Supplemental Security Aid and New Border Policies, Failed in the Senate Wednesday in the face of mounting GOP Opposition in both the House and Senate.
The last time the U.S. offered Expedited Citizenship to Immigrants who served in the Military was during the Obama Administration.
This Initiative aimed to recruit Individuals with valuable Foreign Language or Medical Skills, by providing them with a path to Citizenship in return for their Military service.
However, in late 2016, additional Requirements were introduced, and in late 2017, the Trump Administration announced that the Program had been suspended.
The Program also allowed Foreign-born Military Service Members, whose Superior Officers certified their Honorable service, to seek U.S. Citizenship through an Expedited process. Unfortunately, the Program faced Changes and Suspension in subsequent years.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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