Contact: Josh Holly (202) 225-2539
Washington, D.C. --- U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following statement to clarify misconceptions made at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today about the House position on allowing legal immigrants to serve in the United States armed forces. The House-passed Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act would continue to allow immigrants legally in the United States to serve in the United States military.
“Legal immigrants continue to serve honorably in the United States armed forces and their status makes their service and sacrifice no less important. The House border security bill does not change the ability of legal immigrants to wear a uniform in defense of our nation,” said Hunter.
“Those who volunteer to serve in our armed services and risk their lives to protect the freedom of the American people deserve an expedited path to full citizenship.”
“My Senate colleagues must be reminded that it is the House of Representatives which created the provision in P.L. 108-136 which allows legal immigrants serving in the military to expeditiously apply for U.S. citizenship,” continued Hunter.
Attached is the legislative language included in P.L. 108-136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
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