Dept. of Defense to Allow Illegal Immigrants to Join Military

This week, the Department of Defense announced they will expand one of their programs and allow a number of illegal immigrants to enlist in the Armed Forces. Many of our local U.S. congressmen have come out in opposition of this decision.

Congressman Steven Palazzo says too many law-abiding Americans are being forced out of their positions due to military downsizing and believes now is not the time to make room for immigrants. News 25 spoke with local veterans to see what they think about illegal immigrants filling their shoes.

Captain Alfred R. Koval, a WWII veteran of the Army Air Corps, says, “Well if they’re good fighters, I guess we could use them.”

Tommy Esposito Sr., a WWII veteran of the Third Army, says, “I would say anybody who is illegal is illegal, that’s period as far as I’m concerned.”

Francis G. Ward, a WWII veteran of the U.S. Navy, says, “His mother brought John back to the U.S. and he joined the military. He was in Special Forces for 20 years. He was a Master Sergeant.”

The Department of Defense will accept young people who entered the U.S. illegally as children, who have lived in the country for most of their lives, earned at least a G.E.D., and who have kept a clean record with law enforcement.