March 26, 2003

Non-Citizen Soldiers

My old pal Welch has some fine posts about the non-citizen Marines from California who were killed in Iraq. And the Philly Daily News has the details about the New Zealand-born James Riley from New Jersey who is now a POW in Iraq.

The Philly paper doesn't say whether or not Riley is a citizen. The O.C Register and USAToday stories Welch linked to about the non-citizens killed in Iraq fail to mention if these boys will be granted posthumous U.S. citizenship. Let's hope that the Bush Administration does so quickly and without drama.

Twenty-nine Irish non-citizen in the U.S. military killed in the Korean War are still waiting for American citizenship. Ray O'Hanlon reported in last week's Irish Echo that they are close to becoming U.S. citizens 50 years after their deaths.

That recognition will soon come in the form of posthumous U.S. citizenship. But citizenship for the dead Irish has not come easily. A 25-year campaign has only now reached its near successful conclusion. President Bush signed the necessary legislation into law last November. The legislation, crafted by a group of congressmen and senators from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, was contained in a Justice Department appropriations bill. What now remains is for the necessary paperwork to be completed and submitted to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the successor to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The stories of the Irishmen sound so similar to those of the California Latinos killed in Iraq last week. They all deserve to be citizens of the country for which they fought and died.

Patrick "Paddy Joe" Lavin came from the village of Arigna in County Leitrim, Ireland to America at the age of 15. Below is a bit of Paddy Joe's story, but it could be the tale of any of the non-citizens in the U.S. military fighting in Iraq today.

He moved to the Bronx, lived with his uncle and aunt, graduated from high school and, as his uncle had warned, was drafted into the army at age 18.

Paddy Joe opted for the Army Medical Corps. He was killed only a few days before the Korean armistice was signed in July 1953.

In a release from headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division on Oct. 12, 1953, it was stated that PFC Patrick J. Lavin, had "distinguished himself by heroic achievement" near Sokkogae, Korea, on July 19, 1953.

"Private Lavin, an aidman, was moving forward with his comrades when he noticed a casualty lying in the midst of intense fire and in dire need of immediate medical attention," the army report said.

"Completely disregarding his own personal safety, Private Lavin voluntarily proceeded to the fire-swept area where his wounded comrade lie. As Private Lavin moved through the open terrain and neared the stricken man, he was caught in the burst of a hostile round and mortally wounded. The heroic actions of Private Lavin reflect great credit on himself and the military service," the report concluded.

Credit enough for a Bronze Star, but not for U.S. citizenship.

Lavin was buried in St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. It would have been his dearest wish to rest forever in America, Helen Lavin said.

"He loved America from the day he arrived and at last the day is nearly here for us to honor Paddy Joe with citizenship," she said.

Posted by Jim at March 26, 2003 12:46 AM
Comments

A Soldier Without A Country

There are many terms that describe this phenomenon. From what would be mercenaries to a terrorist and a murderer? What was I then? Am I a mercenaries, terrorist or murderer? I enlisted with the Army National Guard in 2000. I was married to an American citizen at that time. My recruiter admitted me in the pretext that I will seek the United States citizenship before my enlistment expired in 2008. That did not happening because I am divorce now. At this point, I am applying to be an American citizen based on my military experience. The N-400 citizenship application proved to be long and unfriendly. I know that the President already ordered INS to “Expedite” the process of citizenship for military member like me. Not mention the difficulties I experienced because I cannot work illegally. I was terminated from my state job, because I have no alien number. My unit NCO and the State JAG seems does not care with my status. I am still drilling with my unit once a month, but I am beginning to realize that they abandoned me. I participated in the Active Duty Special Work after the September 11, 2001. I served honorably and even received a state award for commendation. At this point, I have no job, no money, and only live from my GI BILL and drill check. I am not even sure my status in school is legal.
I did not blame the United States Army for my marriage failure. My wife left me when I was in Basic Training and AIT. She could not cope with the military family drama that we are going into. I am still without citizenship and not even a temporary permanent resident status. I am illegal in the term of immigration policy. A colonel even asked how the hell the recruiter even accepted me, when I am not even a greencard holder? I do not know.
With the death of my beloved father, I felt the urge to go back home and take care my youngest brother and mother who still left in my native country. Should I just forget a 3 years of service in the military and drop out of college? With the war in Iraq and the hates of Muslim in my country toward the United States, my family security back home is in jeopardy. I am worried if someone back home found out that I am serving in the United States Military, they will go after my mother and youngest brother. I lost my citizenship back home; the government outlaws any participation in foreign army. Where I am going to go now? I will be detain when I enter my native country. Jail or even death will be my final fate when I go back home.
What should I do Uncle Sam? I had given you my youth and my patriotism, but I am still afraid getting deports and abandon by my own countrymen. I cannot work legally but I am defending this country from foreign and domestic threats. I am scared to go back home but I am also scared to live here. I am petrified with the well being of my mother and brother, but there is nothing I could do to save them.

Posted by: SPC Lawrence of Americaniyah at March 28, 2003 03:09 PM