Timely Connections: Immigrant Soldiers

The United States is a nation of immigrants, many of whom have served the country in times of need. Below you will find links to news articles about immigrant soldiers, historical background resources, and related primary sources and teaching resources. How does studying sources from the past inform your understanding of the contemporary debate surrounding immigrants in the U.S. armed forces?

Congressional Activity

• The Impact of Current Immigration Policies on Service Members and Veterans, and their Families House Subcommittee on Immigration & Citizenship Hearing October 29, 2019
• H.R.2346 – Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act Introduced 04/18/2019

Articles

• 2019
  • Immigration policies make attaining citizenship arduous, deterring military recruits, lawyer claims Stars & Stripes November 1, 2019
  • The children of immigrant American soldiers should be allowed to be citizens Dallas Morning News editorial Sep 6, 2019
  • The military is kicking out foreign recruits it needs — for having foreign ties Washington Post July 30, 2019
  • An immigrant was recruited by the Army but now he fears deportation Newsday July 28, 2019
  • After Serving in the Military, Immigrants Now Face Deportation Orange County Register 6 Apr 2019 via Military.com
•  2018
  • For now, Army suspends discharges of immigrant recruits AP News August 10, 2018
  • Suit demands reinstatement of immigrant GIs San Antonio Express-News August 7, 2018
  • Army reverses discharge of immigrant soldier at center of media coverage ABA Journal July 17, 2018
  • It’s always been hard to say no to citizenship requests from soldiers. Trump’s doing it. Vox Jul 9, 2018
  • U.S. Army Discharges Immigrant Soldiers Seeking Citizenship NPR July 6, 2018
• 2017
  • Immigrant Soldiers Win Pause Of Rules Blocking Citizenship Law360 October 30, 2017
  • U. S. judge bars Pentagon from blocking citizenship applications by immigrant recruits The Washington Post October 26, 2017
  • The Double Limbo of Dreamer-Soldiers The Marshall Project 09.19.2017
  • U.S. Army kills contracts for hundreds of immigrant recruits. Some face deportation. The Washington Post September 15, 2017
  • Why Trump Should Embrace America’s Immigrant Soldiers The Atlantic Jul 4, 2017
  • Pentagon Considers Canceling Program That Recruits Immigrant Soldiers NPR July 3, 2017
  • The Pentagon promised citizenship to immigrants who served. Now it might help deport them. The Washington Post June 26, 2017

Historical background resources

• Immigration and Immigrant Soldiers 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers
• The Civil War Was Won by Immigrant Soldiers Time Jun 29, 2015
• Immigrants in the Military during WWI National Park Service, Ellis Island
• Immigrants in the U.S. Armed Forces May 15, 2008 Migration Policy Institute

Related primary sources & teaching resources

• 47th Regiment Pennsylvania historical newspaper articles 1860-1875
• Joint Resolution Authorizing the readmission to the United States of certain aliens who have been conscripted or have volunteered for service with the United States or cobelligerent forces (p. 1014) October 19, 1918
• Gallery Talk: Immigrant Voices of the Veterans History Project Folklife Today
• The immigrant. Acquisition or detriment? guided primary source analysis activities
• Immigrant Support for the War primary source analysis activity

Additional primary sources & teaching resources

• Immigration Primary Source Set
• Primary Source Learning: Immigration
• Primary Source Spotlight: Immigration
• The U.S. Naval Academy & the Navy primary sources

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