Military Immigrants, You're Fired Trump Style

Trumps immigration policies are more like suffering policies. Now the military is under attack. There are many foreigners who are serving in our military, protecting America who can now also face deportation. Is this how you treat people who are willing to give up their lives for this country? Democratic Senators realize how serious a break in trust this is and have already proposed an Amendment this week to save this vulnerable group of immigrants who serve our country. Does Trump even realize how valuable these people are who know other countries and speak fluently other languages are to our safety? In other wars a special international group was scarce and badly needed to serve in other countries.

Since 2008 the Defense Department has OFFERED IMMIGRANTS who join our military in exchange for a path to citizenship. Now they may be getting the opposite with Trump’s brand of America. NOW THEY COULD GET KICKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY THEY SIGNED UP TO SERVE. Should we be ambushing our immigrant brave military members? My protest shoes are getting really worn out with this crazy President.

The Department of Defense even had You Tube Videos trying to RECRUIT immigrants to our military. Not anymore. Does Trump even realize he is closing the door on a valuable international military asset? In the past the U.S. Department of Defense launched the MAVNI program to attract foreign nationals. The deal was that those who join the military will immediately obtain citizenship once they start serving. The program attracted people from all over the globe fluent in English and other languages joining our military. Clearly an asset to America. Why should this program be stopped?

Foreigners see a lot of American movies like Saving Private Ryan and Lone Survivor that inspire them to want to be an American and serve in our military too. In movies like that it shows a strong American spirit and American values inside the U.S. military. They want to be a part of America. MAVNI means Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest. It allows Visa holders to trade military service for expedited citizenship. The program is a success until Trump comes along. Now the program has an uncertain future. Immigrants have ALWAYS been part of the U.S. Armed Forces. After the Vietnam War they restricted enlistment to Green Card holders. Over the next 30 years the number of Green Card holders in the military dropped.

After 911 recruitment increased. After 911 our military didn’t have enough people who spoke foreign languages. The MAVNI Program recruited legal immigrants who were in America already and who passed rigorous background checks through the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. They signed up for 8 years of military service in exchange for bringing their unique skills to the Armed forces. In 2008 MAVNI had 2,000 recruits. Recently the Pentagon announced that the program has expanded to 5,200 soldiers. That means 8% of enlistees are immigrants seeking citizenship. Why attack this small amount of soldiers?

Now even little things like a renewal of a driver’s license is in jeopardy. Now their student Visas are in jeopardy. The Pentagon announced that they will curtail the MAVNI program. They recently cancelled 1,800 applicants. The Republicans like Rep Steve Russell from Oklahoma thinks the MAVNI program is just charity. Over 1,000 MAVNI recruits are now in immigration limbo while the Pentagon decides whether to honor the contract to expedite their citizenship or deport them. They are considered traitors to the countries they left. Now they have possibly no country.

Must Trump say You’re Fired to everyone? These people feel unsafe at the airport even if they go back for fear of being stopped and regarded as traitors. Trump likes to change the rules in the middle of the game. But this is no game. These people are loyal valuable assets to this country and want this country to be their country. You shouldn’t spit in the face of loyal quality people.