Earning U.S. citizenship the hard way

One of the surest and fastest ways gain U.S. citizenship is to earn it by serving a tour with the U.S. military in Iraq or Afghanistan.

At a ceremony just a few days ago at al-Faw Palace on Victory Base 192 service members from 54 different countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens. At the ceremony each new citizen was presented with a certificate of naturalization to make it all official.

We who are guaranteed this privilege by our birthright take for granted what many are in the world see as the ultimate goal. What speaks more loudly than "I am willing to give my life to be able to call myself an American"?

One of our translators is from Tunisia. Both she and her husband decided they wanted more for their future children than north Africa could provide, so they joined the U.S. military together. We have a heavy demand for anyone who is fluent in both English and Arabic. These linguists patrol with us as we move through the streets of Iraq to allow us to interact with the people. This is an important yet dangerous job. Some have been killed, but died in pursuit of their lifetime dream. It is moving to know what some people will do for their future generations.

This is a great plan. There are millions of people wanting to become citizens. So they are allowed to prove thier committment. Nothing speaks more loudly than putting your convictions on the line by serving the nation you wish to call your home. It seems a small price to pay for a lifetime of freedom and the freedom of your children. What a great immigration plan.

Recruiting stations are struggling to lure American citizens to do the work our elected officials have called us to do. Statistics show that seven out of ten 17-24 year old Americans are deemed unfit for duty due to physical, mental, or moral limitations. Perhaps the international community has something to offer beyond products for the shelves at Wal-mart and at the gas we put in our cars. They are providing human capital to fill another niche we cannot.

So if you know someone who says they are willing to do anything to become an American. Tell them to give Uncle Sam a call and they will be sworn in as a U.S. citizen about as far away from America as you can get. But when they return to their new home when their deployment is over, they will have realized one dream and can begin at a whole new level that is only offered in America.