Rep. Ruben Gallego Responds to Rep. Gosar’s Attempt to Block DREAMers from Serving our Nation in Uniform
Rep. Ruben Gallego Responds to Rep. Gosar’s Attempt to Block DREAMers from Serving our Nation in Uniform
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), announced that he had filed an amendment to the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent undocumented young people brought to the United States as children – known as DREAMers – from serving our country in uniform. His misguided amendment would alter bipartisan compromise language affirming the Secretary of Defense’s broad discretionary power to enable immigrants to enlist in the military by specifically excluding beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The language in question was offered as a compromise amendment by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and was approved by voice vote in response to an amendment introduced by Rep. Gallego.
Critically, the Gosar amendment would change current DOD policy by preventing DACA recipients with in-demand skills, including special language skills needed in the fight against ISIS, from enlisting through the Department’s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program.
Rep. Gallego released the following statement:
“I am disappointed that Congressman Gosar would attempt to irresponsibly revise compromise language introduced by the Republican committee chairman that could enable DREAMers to serve.
“This shouldn’t be a controversial issue. The Secretary of Defense has the statutory authority to allow any immigrant to enlist if it’s in our national interest – including DACA recipients who want to fight for our country.
“This amendment is about defense and what is in the best interest of our nation and our military. I fought in Iraq, and I know that on the battlefield what matters is the character and commitment of the people you serve with, not their immigration status.
“I look forward to a vigorous and open debate on this important issue on the House floor next week.”
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