Immigrants Serve in U.S. Military and Receive Honors
Posted Mar 14, 2003

As the U.S. "War on Terrorism" continues and war with Iraq looms in the offing, it is important to remember those who have fought on behalf of the United States. Last year the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) prepared a policy report that may surprise anti-immigration factions who want more restrictive immigration policies. The report indicated that the Pentagon's 2002 count of foreign-born individuals serving in the U.S. military is currently more than 30,000. In 1999, half of the Flushing, New York Army station recruits were foreign-born and one-third of the recruits were still only green card holders or permanent residents.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally, it is personally awarded by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, hence its name. Since its inception, more than 20 percent of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor have been immigrants.

We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C., salute these immigrants, past and present, who have served in the U.S. military to keep our nation safer. May those who oppose immigration come to understand the value and contributions of immigrants to all aspects of American life. May we all appreciate the commitment of those immigrants who fight for our country, that we all may live more safely here.