Back in July of this year the Trump Administration asked the Department of Defense to cancel enlistment contracts for 1,000 immigrant military recruits under a program called MILITARY ACCESSIONS VITAL TO NATIONAL INTEREST or MAVNI. The program was used to recruit foreign born soldiers with special skills. Medical professionals, interpreters etc…. Expedited citizenship status was promised to those that were successfully recruited. Notified of this change in policy, a group of recruits sued the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Basically, by canceling the contracts the Administration also put these soldiers and recruits immigration status in jeopardy. They could be deported because the US government failed to uphold their contracts. The problem for the Trump Administration was that the program was supported by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, the US Army and Congress that insisted the Administration keep it’s promises.
NPR - Trump Administration Considers End To Citizenship For Military Service Program:
BOWMAN: Well, the Army is pushing back. They want to retain as many of these folks as possible. They say the program's important. But there's a concern, again, with vetting of these folks. Congress is also weighing in now as the Pentagon tries to decide the way ahead.
Congressman Steve Russell, a Republican from Oklahoma, says there are some major issues when it comes to vetting these immigrant recruits. And then you have Senator Mark Warner of Virginia who says, listen, the U.S. should honor the contracts signed by these recruits, and these language and medical skills are necessary. He doesn't want to end this program.
And I'm told that this has reached Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. He's struggling with this, too. But we expect some sort of decision in the next several weeks. And again, they would like to keep some of these folks in the program, as many as possible.
This brings us to last Friday when the Department of Defense drops THIS MEMO on its website with little to no fanfare from the Trump Administration. It appears to quietly add all legal Permanent US Residents “Green Card Holders” in with MAVNI recruitment requirements. The important changes for immigrants recruits are:
1. Delayed enlistment. Current policy is that recruits need to start background check investigation to be ship to basic training. The change would require all background checks to be completed. This seems reasonable but background checks have a backlog of one year or more.
2. Delayed Citizenship/Naturalization. Current policy is anyone currently serving in the US Military with a “Green Card” Legal Permanent US Residents is eligible for US Citizenship with no waiting period. Congress passed a law because of a soldier that died in Iraq who was waiting on the Naturalization process. New policy citizenship/naturalization delayed at least six months to a year.
3. Revoking Citizenship/Naturalization Status. Yes you heard that right! This is what the memo states:
Under the new policy, foreign nationals must complete security screening, basic military training and serve to 180 days for a characterization of service determination.
Those in the reserve components must complete security screening, basic military training and have one satisfactory federal year of service. "For example, the individual drilled successfully, he achieved all of his points, he did his two weeks of annual training and as a result, achieved one good federal year," Miller explained. "At that time, the department would render that person's service as honorable, and then the department would sign the form that he would include in the naturalization packet for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services."
The department is changing these policies because some individuals received citizenship before background investigations were completed, Miller said. "It is in the national interest to complete the security investigation before we grant someone honorable service, particularly in the case where that characterization is considered in an application for citizenship" she added.
This affects some personnel in the service now who received certification before their security screenings were completed. The department is recalling those certifications, and will recertify once the investigations are successfully completed, Miller said.
My opinion on these new policies?
- Thinly veiled attempt to demote legal immigrants in the military to second class status requiring a waiting period not required of other recruits.
- Legally questionable? Legal Permanent Residents required to register for the draft.
- Discourage legal immigrants from enlisting in the military. 65,000 Immigrants are currently serving with honor.
- Attempt by Secretary Jim Mattis to appease Donald Trump quest to deport as many brown people as possible?
- Immigration Executive Order 3.0 is supposed to go into effect this week, allowing DHS to spy on legal immigrants social media accounts without warrants. Coincidence?
This brings me to my final issue and it could be a Whopper or a military SNAFU……… Mic.com reported that the US Army sent out an email to all recruiters that said:
From Mic.com
Army recruiters have been told to stop enlisting green card holders into the Army effective immediately, according to an email sent to military recruiters and obtained by Mic, a move that experts say breaks federal law.
“EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY DO NOT ‘SHIP’ OR ‘ENLIST’ ANY FOREIGN NATIONAL’S (ALL I-551 CARD HOLDERS) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,” reads an email sent to Army recruiters on Monday by Gregory C. Williamson, chief of the Accessions Suitability Office Guard Strength Division.
I ran across the story because of a retweet from VoteVets. The reporter from Mic.com is standing behind the story. It was posted earlier this evening and no response or denial has been issued by the DOD.