Immigrant soldiers merit fast citizenship

[AlphaCentauri]

After 9-11, President Bush signed an executive order making it easier for immigrants on active duty to file for citizenship.

But the "fast track," burdened by bureaucratic obstacles, has forced many soldiers to wait months — or even years — before becoming citizens.

"It's usually not any substantive issue that's causing those delays," David Piver, an immigration lawyer from Pennsylvania, told the New York Times. "What it boils down to are bureaucratic" problems.

These bureaucratic entanglements, a hardship for any immigrant, are worse for soldiers. They risk their lives for this country; they show their loyalty and commitment every day. Yet they do not have the same status as the men and women with whom they fight.

The wait is sometimes tragically long. More than 90 immigrants have been awarded citizenship posthumously. While the immigration system as a whole is broken, military members deserve special consideration. Lawmakers have drafted legislation that recognizes the service of these immigrants. The legislation would create a clearinghouse to process the applications of both active and returning military.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/stories/MYSA022808.01O.Immigrants1ed.2800725.html

[provis99]

1. "posthumously"? What a great fucking deal

You know what happens when these immigrant soldiers die? Their families get deported.:cry: