How the Pentagon ending its deal with immigrant recruits could hurt the military

The Washington Post reported last month that the Pentagon has recommended ending a program that gives foreign-born troops with medical and language skills leverage in gaining citizenship. Congress has weighed in since then, and some recruits under threat of deportation have sought preemptive refuge.

Advocates, defense analysts and the military’s own assessments of the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest program point to an initiative that, when working as designed, benefits national security, reduces recruitment and training costs, and provides a steady stream of troops.

But internal discussions point to concerns over security risks and even internal mismanagement as a reason to scuttle the program that has minted 10,400 troops since its implementation in 2009. The Pentagon has declined to comment on the program’s future, citing a host of related lawsuits.

Read the full article in The Washington Post.