The Enlist Act: A Solution to Recruitment Shortages
Inclusion and Opportunity: Expanding Eligibility for Non-Citizen and Undocumented Immigrants Service Members
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is leading an initiative aimed at addressing recruitment shortages within the U.S. military. Her proposed legislation named the Enlist Act, seeks to expand eligibility for non-citizens including undocumented immigrants to serve in the armed forces. Duckworth herself an Iraq War veteran and former Army Black Hawk pilot believes that allowing long-time residents of the United States including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and those with temporary protected status to enlist is a practical solution to bolstering the military’s manpower.
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Unlocking Potential: Providing Pathways to Service and Citizenship
According to American Military News, the Enlist Act if passed, would open the doors of the military to individuals who have resided in the U.S. for at least five years. This move comes as the military faces unprecedented challenges in recruitment with a historically small pool of eligible recruits. Current statistics show that only 24% to 27% of young people aged 18-24 qualify for service and even fewer express interest in joining. Duckworth emphasizes that the bill not only expands the potential pool of recruits but also offers a pathway for enlisted non-citizens and undocumented immigrants to attain naturalized citizenship complementing existing processes for non-citizen service members. Despite previous attempts to expand enlistment eligibility for non-citizens and undocumented immigrants faltering in Congress Duckworth remains hopeful about the Enlist Act’s prospects. The bill has been filed as an amendment to the Senate’s annual defense policy bill signifying renewed efforts to enhance the military’s recruitment capabilities and, consequently, bolster national security.