Is it true that our Military is allowing illegal aliens to join?

Question

My husband heard on CNN news today while at work that since the illegals are in our military fighting for our Country that they should be given legal citizenship.
Last I heard you have to be a United States citizen in order to join the United States Military.
Is it true that they're doing this or is CNN lying to us again?

OK I agree that if a person wants to prove their allegiance to America by joining our Military and fighting a way that they should be able to and that would be an honorable thing to do.

But from my experience with the illegals who come over here from across the Southern Border they hate America and they hate Americans even more.

If these are the very same people who are joining our military then God help us all.
But if they're not and its only those who are Patriotic and wants more than anything to be American because they love America then God bless them all.

Mr. Happy with all due respect please grow a brain.

Ah so I was right border jumpers cannot enlist in our military.
It makes sense that green card holders can but it didn't make sense to me that someone who came here illegally could join.
CNN is full of it.

Cordelia it was on the television where he works and it caused people to argue because some believe (because of what they were listening to on CNN) that actual illegals are enlisting and are being used in the military to fight this war then denied citizenship and my husband said that's not true and the natives almost killed him for it in the lunch room.

Answer 1

No, illegal immigrants are not allowed to enlist in the US military.

Only US citizens and,

Permanent Legal residents ( green card holders )

Are allowed to enlist.

Green card holders are only allowed to serve for 4 years, and cannot reenlist. They also must serve in duty that does not require a security clearance.

Since green card holders are already working toward US citenship. Thats why they have a green card.

The US military does gave a program, that for legal immigrants who enlist and serve in a war zone, the waiting period for gaining citizenship is reduced to one year.

If you don't serve in a war zone, then the three year waiting time still applies.

Answer 2

No. People can join the American military even if they are not citizens, but they have to have a green card proving that they are legal residents. If an illegal alien used false documents to enlist, they would be eligible for prosecution for fraudulent enlistment and filing a false official document.

Resident aliens can earn their American citizenship through service in the military.

Answer 3

Here in UK it has always been the case that if a person joins us in fighting a war, their reward is citizenship.

Go back to the Revolution when the Brits employed many black slaves in the British Army in the Colonies. Their reward, had the result gone in favour of UK would have been their total freedom from slavery. Not simply those who joined up, but all slaves.

The British Army have always traditionally taken recruits from the former Empire and now the Commonwealth. In the 1800s [the Regency] whole regiments of black soldiers were stationed at Brighton on the Sussex coast. Their function, should it have become necessary, would have been to go across the English Channel and attack France, which even then, after Waterloo, was a considerable threat.

I just think that in these difficult times, everyone should just turn a blind eye to anyone from anywhere who is willing to join up and fight our enemies. Their reward should be guaranteed citizenship of which ever country they have chosen to fight for and support, USA or UK etc.

Answer 4

Eh, I think CNN is stretching the point to make an inflammatory sounding headline. Truth is that foreign nationals CAN and DO enlist in our military. If and when they complete their term of service, they'll have the option of becoming U.S. citizens. So far as I know though, they have to enlist LEGALLY... jumping the 'fence' and knocking on a recruiter's door is more likely to get him deported, than inducted. lol.
Personally, some of the most rabidly patriotic americans began life as a citizen of another country. A buddy named Mario was born in Romania, served in the U.S. Army, became a citizen, and is just as american as anybody.

Answer 5

Nope, illegal aliens are prohibited from joining any branch of the Armed Forces and gaining legal citizenship. Only foreign nationals who are here legally may apply to serve in the Armed Forces and earn citizenship as a result of that service.

Answer 6

It's actually been that way for quite a while, people from US territories have been allowed to join the military and become US citizens. Now there is a program that would encourage people inside the United States illegally to earn their citizenship by serving in the Military.

Shades of Robert Heinlein Batman!

Answer 7

Yes, people can earn citizenship by joining the military and serving honorably for a certain amount of time.

I recently saw an oath of citizenship ceremony that was conducted by a General in Iraq to give citizenship to some of the troops.

Answer 8

illegals are not now and never have been allowed to enlist...these are not guys that are jumping the fence or whatever...HOWEVER green card carrying non citizen LEGAL immigrants can and do enlist. and yes the citizenship process is alot more easy for them than those that dont enlist.

Answer 9

maybe your husband didn't hear the full story? I couldn't find it online anywhere.....a non-resident who managed to sneak in would be guilty of a fraudulent enlistment and not eligible for citizenship. Not tomention the criminal penalties.

Answer 10

no. the armed forces can not and could not help any unlawful get their eco-friendly Card. No eco-friendly Card, no enlisting. and in fact they're required to permit interior sight government/ICE be attentive to whilst an unlawful is available in.