New Rules Allow Some Illegal Immigrants to Serve in Military

A small number of illegal immigrants will be allowed to join the military under new rules announced Thursday, USA Today reports.

The new rules expand an existing program called Military Accessions in the National Interest (MAVNI.) That program allows the military to recruit foreign nationals with specific skills in high demand, such as language translation or healthcare training.

The new rules allow for certain illegal immigrants to participate in the program if they came to the United States with their parents before they were 16 years old. That means they must fall under the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) policy instituted by the Obama administration in 2012.

As part of the DACA program, immigrants have to pass a background check.

Only 1,500 recruits per year are allowed, and the military is not required to accept anyone under the program. And for the first time in many years, it will give some illegal aliens the opportunity to join the U.S. military.

The U.S. Army has used the program more than the other branches, followed by the Air Force, USA Today reported. The Navy and Marines have not recruited anyone under the program recently.

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