ICE will consider military service in deportation cases

The US will consider military service before deporting immigrants and their family members.

ICE states that it values ​​the contributions of immigrants who have served in the Armed Forces.

Military service will be considered for family members too.

The US government will consider the military service of immigrants when they are deciding on deportation and other enforcement measures, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported on Tuesday, according to the EFE agency and Trade.

“ICE values the incredible contributions of noncitizens who have served in the U.S. military,” said ICE acting Director Tae D. Johnson. «Through this directive, ICE will consider U.S. military service by a noncitizen or their immediate family members when determining whether to take civil immigration enforcement decisions against a noncitizen,» he added.

WAS MILITARY SERVICE ALREADY CONSIDERED?

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Even before this directive, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recognized military service as a mitigating factor and «highly relevant» in making decisions on a case-by-case basis before determining the application of immigration laws.

The new guideline makes this practice the official norm. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will review various circumstances including the type of discharge given from the Armed Forces and the length of service following the news that they will consider immigrant military service.

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

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The rule applies to noncitizens who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, and National Guard, including their reserves.

Foreigners have a long history in the US military, and the promise of expedited citizenship has encouraged them to join for many periods. Filed Under: Immigrant Military Service

HOW MANY NONCITIZENS ARE IN THE US MILITARY?

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According to the Migration Policy Institute, more than 760,000 foreigners have enlisted in the United States armed forces and have obtained US citizenship in the last century.

There were spikes in the numbers during the two world wars, and a smaller increase after the terrorist attacks of September 2001. There are currently about 35,000 foreigners in the armed forces, and about 8,000 volunteer and are recruited each year.