Over the year, more than 500 immigrant recruits were fired from the US Army

During 12 months, the US Army broke contracts with more than 500 immigrant recruits who were recruited around the world for their language or medical skills; in exchange for service, they were promised swift American citizenship.

Фото: Depositphotos

The 10-year Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest recruiting program was suspended in 2016 due to concerns that immigrant recruits were not being screened thoroughly enough. And in 2017, the army began to break contracts with these conscripts without explaining the reasons, writes NBC News.

More than a dozen recruits from countries such as Brazil, Pakistan, Iran, China and Mongolia, said they were devastated by an unexpected dismissal from the army.

It is still unclear how many immigrants were dismissed from the army and for what reasons, because the army refuses to discuss specific cases of termination of contracts. However, in September 2018, the United States Army submitted to the District of Columbia court a list that noted that 502 military personnel who were hired under the Military Accession program were dismissed from the army from July 2017 to July 2018 of the year.

According to this document, the reason for the dismissal of two-thirds of the recruits was the “refusal of conscription”. At least one recruit, which official documents said he was fired because he refused to be called up, said this was not true.

Badsemereid Gansukh, who possesses knowledge of Turkish language useful for the American army, did not know about dismissal from the army at all until he asked the congressman from his district to help him understand why his test for admission to the service took so long.

“I never said I was refusing the draft, not at all,” Gansukh said.

The news of his dismissal from the army, he said, simply “broke him.”

Of the immigrants discharged, the Pentagon reported that 22% of the immigrants who were discharged were not regularly attending early training (which could also mean they were injured and prevented from attending), which was the reason for their dismissal. Ten percent—or 48 immigrants—were expelled because they failed security screening (often in the case of immigrant conscripts, this is due to relatives in another country who are seen as a potential threat).

Three conscripts were fired due to apathy or personal problems; two for problems with the police after their enlistment; one due to pregnancy; another immigrant conscript was discharged with a "education" discharge, which could mean the person went to college and decided to focus on schooling.

Two conscripts "refused to go" to the training camp, two more recruits were dismissed with the explanation "unknown", and the Pentagon refused to comment on this.

When publishing the list, the names of the recruits and other personal information were retouched so as not to violate the rights of immigrants.

By subscribing to the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, all recruits committed themselves to active service or to entering reserves; Many of them were regularly trained by their recruiters in preparation for the training camp, and also expected security guarantees and an accelerated citizenship process.

“If a draftee fails to report to active duty, the U.S. Army has the authority by law to discharge an individual and terminate a contract, whether at the request of the applicant or by order of the government,” said Army spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell.

Margaret Stock, an immigration expert who helped create the MAVNI program, said the army does not give recruits the right to appeal.

In order to be eligible for enrollment in the army, immigrants must have legal status in the United States, for example, a student or work visa, etc. More than 5000 immigrants were recruited into the program in 2016, about 10 000 people currently serve in the US Army on this program.

Many of those who were fired in 2017-2018, went to court - and army reinstated contracts for more 30 immigrantssubscribing to the MAVNI program.

This program was developed after the September 11 terrorist attacks to diversify the US armed forces and attract people with different languages ​​and knowledge in the field of medicine.

Around 10 000 immigrants used it as a shortcut to obtaining citizenship. Over the years, the program has been closely monitored and supervised, and in 2017, the Pentagon suspended its operation.

The Department of Defense tightened the rules, requiring that recruits who were still in the pipeline were subject to new, more stringent checks that could take more than a year.

The recruits had to undergo tough lengthy interviews - they were asked questions on every aspect of their life, selecting the phone and computer.

They had to tell about all their foreign travels from the moment of their birth, disclose their financial information, and also name all “living or dead” acquaintances who were associated with any government; provide detailed information about “all relatives in any country in the world” with whom they have ever had contact.

According to the Pentagon, two of three recruits undergo an in-depth test, that is, about 33% is eliminated.

The new rules also severely limit the ability to obtain citizenship for all immigrant recruits of the American army.

Before one day of military service, it was enough to apply for citizenship. But according to the new rules, a minimum of 180 active service days or one year in reserve is required.

Read also on ForumDaily:

5 unobvious but sought-after professions in the US for our immigrants

Nine ways to go to the USA

Free courses and legal assistance for US migrants: list of organizations

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.