Is the US trying to lure immigrants to join military by offering citizenship?

Two members of the United States Congress have introduced legislation that would expedite the path to citizenship for immigrants who serve in the military. In a rare display of bipartisanship, Democratic Representative Pat Ryan and his Republican counterpart John James brought the Courage to Serve Act earlier this month to tackle the dual challenges of a surge in immigration and shortfalls in military recruitment in the country.

The US military has already been taking measures to meet its recruitment goals, including enlisting legal immigrants.

What does the legislation say? Why is the US seeing shortfalls in military recruitment? What is it doing to overcome the issue? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Courage to Serve Act?

The Courage to Serve Act proposes to create a pilot programme providing an accelerated path to citizenship for “qualified and vetted migrants” who serve in the US military.

Those who clear the background checks by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the FBI, are eligible to join the armed forces and are admissible to America would be qualified under the Act.

“The legislation addresses two challenges facing the United States: an influx of migrants looking to work, build a better life for their families, and contribute to our country, as well as a recruitment crisis within the ranks of our Armed Forces,” a press release said.

Congressman Ryan said in a statement that he and his West Point classmate James know “firsthand” that there is “no higher honour than serving your country in uniform.” The duo is military veterans.

The New York Democrat said, “If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation, and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen”.

Republican James pointed out how the Army failed to meet its recruiting goal by 25 per cent in 2022, saying that the US saw “serious threats to national security due to recruiting challenges in the military” over the past few years.

“The Courage to Serve Act is about recognising the contributions of immigrants who are willing to serve in our military and providing them with the opportunity to become American citizens. This legislation is a win-win, strengthening our military and honouring the service of immigrants who are willing to defend our nation,” Representative James was quoted as saying by BNN Breaking.

US’ military enlistment crisis

The US Army has been falling short of meeting its annual recruitment goals for nearly a decade, as per NPR. The US Air Force and Navy also failed to fulfill their recruiting targets last year.

By September 2023, the US Army brought more than 50,000 recruits, short of the announced “stretch goal” of 65,000.

Last December, the US Department of Defense reported that the Army, Navy and Air Force collectively missed their 2023 recruiting targets by about 41,000 recruits. Only the Marine Corps and Space Force met their recruitment goals in 2023.

Why is this happening?

Several factors seem to be deterring youth in the US from joining the armed forces.

In 2022, Joint Advertising Marketing Research & Studies (JAMRS), a programme run by the Department of Defense, surveyed people in the 16-24 ages about their likelihood to join the military. About 58 per cent said they had no plans to consider military as a career path, while 32 per cent said ‘probably not’.

The possibilities of sustaining physical injury and death as well as developing PTSD or other emotional or psychological issues if they serve were the top reasons for the youth to not enlist.

For young people, especially Generation Z, reports of sexual harassment and racial bias within the US military and rising distrust in institutions were some other concerns, reported NPR.

Recruitment has also become a challenge for the US armed forces as the percentage of young Americans eligible to serve has reduced over time, US Army secretary Christine Wormuth said last year. Just a little over 20 per cent of the youth meet the “physical, mental and character requirements” to enlist, Associated Press (AP) reported.

According to defence leaders, young people are also more interested in corporate jobs that are often higher-paying and less risky.

What is the US military doing to solve the crisis?

From putting out ads to specialised recruiters, the US Army is taking various steps to boost its dwindling ranks.

As per AP, the Army and Air Force have strengthened their marketing by releasing pamphlets, increasing their outreach and using social media to encourage young people to join the armed forces.

The US military has also been using popular online games like Fortnite to recruit more people since 2018, reported The Guardian. 

Army Secretary Wormuth said last year that they have highly depended on high school seniors or graduates to enlist and, thus, need to widen to new groups. “The vast majority of people who are out there making employment decisions are people who have more than a high school education. We need to figure out how to talk to that much broader labour market,” she told AP.

The military has been successful in recruiting legal immigrants, particularly those seeking jobs, education benefits and a quick path to becoming an American citizen, reported AP.

The US Army also plans to create a professional recruiting workforce. Other likely changes include organising larger Army career fairs and boosting the head of recruiting to a three-star job with a four-year term.