Foster Calls For Executive Action To Allow All DREAMers To Serve In The Military

Aurora, IL – Representative Bill Foster released the following statement in response to the Department of Defense's announcement that certain DREAMers would be allowed to enlist in the military.

"While I am pleased that President Obama and the Department of Defense have initiated changes to allow a very limited number of DREAMers to enlist in the military, I continue to believe that we need to use executive action to allow all willing and able DREAMers to enlist," said Foster.

"There are tens of thousands of DREAMers who would be exemplary candidates for military service. At a time when military recruitment is suffering, we simply cannot deny these young people the opportunity to serve the only country they call home. I have introduced a resolution calling on the Department of Defense to allow all qualified and willing DREAMers to enlist, and I will continue to advocate for this change."

According to a memo released by Jessica Wright, Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, DREAMers will be eligible for enlistment in the Armed Forces if they meet specific skill requirements, including medical or language skills, deemed vital to the national interest. Unfortunately, it's estimated that this will only allow a limited number of DREAMers to enlist, despite that over 580,000 have been accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

In July, Representatives Bill Foster, Jared Polis, and Juan Vargas introduced a House resolution calling on the Department of Defense to allow DREAMers to serve in the military. Foster and Polis introduced the resolution at a press conference, joined by Frank Sharry, Executive Director, America's Voice and Cesar Vargas, J.D., Co-Director, DREAM Action Coalition.

More information on the resolution, H.Res. 685, can be found here.