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Current Status
As of 2024, recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are not able to join the U.S. military. The DACA program, implemented during the Obama era, offers protection for around 600,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, but it does not provide a pathway to military service.
Legislation for Change
Rep. Ruben Gallego proposed legislation that could allow DACA recipients to enlist in the military and subsequently apply for lawful permanent residency, given they serve honorably. However, like most immigration bills, the chances of it being passed as a standalone measure are low. Nonetheless, the bill could be incorporated into the annual must-pass defense policy bill, a strategy that has been attempted previously.
Previously, the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, initiated in 2008, allowed noncitizens to join the military. However, this program was suspended in 2017 and is currently not accepting new recruits while the military processes backlogged applications.
The Dream Act of 2024
The Dream Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin, could provide an opportunity for DACA recipients to receive permanent protections and work legally in the U.S., if they meet certain requirements. This bipartisan bill could affect approximately 1.9 million eligible 'Dreamers,' including current DACA recipients.
The Dream Act of 2024 proposes to create a conditional permanent resident status valid for up to eight years for Dreamers. This status would protect them from deportation, allow them to work legally in the U.S., and permit them to travel outside the country.
To qualify for this status, young undocumented immigrants must demonstrate that they were brought to the U.S. at age 17 or younger and have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least four years prior to the bill’s enactment. They must also pass a government background check, demonstrate “good moral character,” submit biometric and biographic data, undergo a biometric and medical exam, and pay an application fee.
Conditional permanent resident status can be changed to lawful permanent resident status as soon as they meet certain conditions such as completing at least two years of honorable military service, demonstrating an ability to read, write, and speak English, and understanding American history, principles, and form of government.
However, recipients can lose this status if they commit a serious crime or fail to meet the other requirements set in the bill.
The enactment of the Dream Act would resolve legal concerns related to DACA and offer Dreamers permanent status, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks
While I was not able to find a source that directly outlines the benefits and drawbacks of allowing DACA recipients to join the military in 2024, some implications can be inferred from the available information.
Allowing DACA recipients to join the military could potentially help the military address its recruitment shortfalls. The Army, for example, is projected to fall nearly 19,000 soldiers short of its staffing target in fiscal 2022 due to a variety of factors, including a challenging post-pandemic recruiting environment and a shrinking pool of potential recruits.
The Dream Act could also be economically beneficial, as it would allow young undocumented immigrants to continue contributing to their communities and the economy by working legally, paying taxes, and building businesses that hire American workers.
Conversely, there may be concerns about national security, as some argue that allowing non-citizens to join the military could pose security risks. However, it's important to note that the Dream Act has stringent eligibility criteria, including passing a government background check and demonstrating good moral character, which could mitigate these risks.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also expressed support for allowing DACA recipients to serve in the military, noting that many have skills and attributes that could be beneficial to the military, including language skills, cultural knowledge, and other valuable experiences and perspectives.
Conclusion
In summary, the question of whether DACA recipients can join the military in 2024 is in the hands of lawmakers, who are actively proposing and debating legislation that could make this a possibility. The potential benefits, including addressing military recruitment shortfalls and boosting the economy, need to be weighed against potential security concerns, although the stringent requirements of the Dream Act could alleviate these risks. As the legislation progresses, it will be important to monitor how these discussions evolve.
