(Air Force Times) Backtalk: ‘Temporary immigrants’ don’t belong in U.S. military

[unhappycamper]

‘Temporary immigrants’ don’t belong in U.S. military
By Robert F. Dorr

The armed forces are recruiting citizens of foreign countries who are in the U.S. temporarily.

Under the yearlong program announced by the Pentagon in December, about 1,000 non-U.S. citizens will be signed up for service as health care workers and language and cultural specialists. In exchange, they get on the fast track to become Americans.

It’s a bad idea. Those who serve need to have a vested interest in this country, not just want to stay in this country.

Until now, the military has recruited only U.S. citizens and permanent residents. About 8,000 permanent residents enlist every year and about 29,000 are in the services today. They’ve even been drafted along with citizens.

The Defense Department’s new program is targeting what it calls the “temporary immigrant”; consular and immigration officials use “nonimmigrant,” the term found in the law and in official documents.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_immigrants_030909/%2e