We Often Forget That Immigrants Too Make up A Part Of The U.S. Military

Soldiers from the different branches of military are sworn in during a Naturalization Ceremony conducted to swear in 125 new citizenship candidates. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

By Felicia J. Persaud

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 3rd, 2016: It is sad that when we hear about immigrants, especially out of the mouths of xenophobes and fear mongers like The Donald, it is usually about the “illegal aliens” and those who are climbing over the borders to take away Americans jobs.  Very rarely do we hear of the many immigrants putting their lives on the line for the U.S. as part of the armed forces or those who have lost their lives in the line of duty or are part of the growing number of the veteran population across the country.

As we celebrated Memorial Day this past week, I wanted to pause and recognize these brave men and women. Latest data shows that there are more than 65,000 immigrants in active duty military or 5 percent   of   the   force.  This includes   more   than   30,000   lawful   permanent residents.

Those numbers are likely to rise as non-citizens account for 4 percent of all new military recruits.  The top two countries of origin for foreign-born military personnel in the U.S. are the Philippines and Mexico. Nearly 11 percent of those serving in the armed forces are of Hispanic origin.

More than 700 Medal of Honor recipients  have  been  immigrants. While immigrants and  children  of  immigrants  have  risen  to  the  highest  ranks  in  the  military. They include Polish-born General John Shalikashvili, who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and  Supreme  Allied  Commander  as  well  as  General  Colin  Powell,  son  of  Jamaican  immigrants, who served as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and  Secretary of State.

Since  2002,  almost  90,000  men  and  women   have  become  citizens  while  wearing  the   uniform of the U.S. military

More than 109,000 non-citizen service members have been granted U.S. citizenship between fiscal years 2002-2014 according to U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization data. Since September 2001, USCIS has naturalized nearly 65,000 service men and women, including those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And in fiscal year 2010 alone, the USCIS says it granted citizenship to 11,146 members of the U.S. armed forces at ceremonies in the United States and 22 countries abroad.

This figure represents the highest number of service members naturalized in any year since 1955.

And many, many more young people who   lack  immigration  status  are  lining  up   to enlist.  Active and retired high-ranking  military officials have  endorsed  the  DREAM  Act,  which   would  allow  young  immigrants  to  earn   permanent  residency  by  completing  at   least two years in the military or college. But of course Republicans continue to block this rational measure.

Further, the   broken   immigration   system   also    impacts  our  national  security  and  the   lives  of  those  active  duty  military  who   have  family  members  under  deportation.

Thankfully there are groups like Veterans for Immigration Reform (Vets4Reform), which continue to highlight the many immigrants, past and present, who have served our country and urge for immigration reform.

It is time for those who want to lead our country come 2017, to recognize and remember that immigrants too are part of those who are putting their lives on the line daily to protect all of all – white, black and brown America aka – the United States of America and be recognized and celebrated for it instead of being dismissed, ignored and degraded!

The writer is CMO of Hard Beat Communications, which owns the brands News Americas Now, CaribPR Wire and Invest Caribbean Now.