Rep. Gallego Responds to Rep. Brooks’ Letter to the Rules Committee to Strike “Enable DREAMers to Serve in Uniform” language from NDAA
Washington, DC – Last night Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) released a letter from 25 Republicans asking the House Rules Committee to strike the amendment "Enable DREAMers to Serve in Uniform" from the NDAA language that will reach the House floor next week.
Congressman Ruben Gallego released the following statement:
"On the same day that a judge in Arizona ruled in favor of in state tuition for dreamers, the extreme right of the Republican Party vowed to continue their attack against immigrant communities - including against talented, brave and patriotic dreamers who want to serve in our military and fight for our freedom and the values we hold dear.
"A bipartisan group of members in the House Armed Services Committee passed this amendment and there is no reason to strike it from NDAA other than to appease the fringe of the GOP. In his decision about in-state tuition for DREAMers in Arizona, Judge Arthur Anderson made clear that the Department of Homeland Security considers DACA recipients to be in the country legally and that we cannot create ‘subcategories of lawful presence'.
"This shouldn't be a controversial issue. The Secretary of Defense has the authority to deem what is in the national interest of the United States, and all we are asking is for him to consider allowing DACA recipients who meet the criteria and want to serve, into our military for that same reason.
"Senator McCain last night said the Senate wouldn't include this language in their version of the NDAA because the House would never accept that language in the bill. Senator McCain should stick to his job in the Senate and let the House do our job. This amendment is about defense and what is in the best interest of our nation and our military. From his own service, Senator McCain knows that thousands of Americans have served this country while working to attain citizenship. What matters is the quality and commitment of the people you serve with, not their immigration status."
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