The Pentagon says there has been no recent change in policy regarding immigrants who apply to join the U.S. military under a special recruitment program that ended last year.
And a Defense Department spokesperson said an Associated Press report published on Thursday “mischaracterized” how the Pentagon has handled recruits whose applications were still pending when the pilot program was ended in September of 2017.
The AP report said some immigrant U.S. Army reservists and recruits who enlisted in the military with a promised path to citizenship were being “abruptly discharged,” with no notice or explanation.
“The notification that they have not been accepted into the program is their notice,” said Maj. Carla M. Gleason, a Pentagon spokesperson. “There has been no change in policy.”
Gleason said the Pentagon has been methodically working through the backlog of applications of potential recruits who were waiting to be vetted and were on a delayed entry status.
As of April the number was roughly 1,100, some of whom were training or assigned to units pending final disposition of their applications.
What’s happening now is some potential recruits are being notified that they have been rejected based on the background checks or failure to meet some other qualification, such as having legal status in the U.S.
The Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, known as MAVNI, began in 2009 as an effort to bring non-U.S. citizens with special skills not found in sufficient numbers in the American citizenry into the military.
That included foreign nationals with language, medical or cultural skills.
“Department of Defense and Army policy require all recruits to undergo a suitability review as part of the military accessions process. One aspect of the suitability review is a security screening. Any recruit, to include those recruited through the MAVNI program, who receives an unfavorable security screening is deemed unsuitable for military service and is administratively discharged,” said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Nina Hill. “Each recruit undergoes an individualized suitability review and the length of time for the review is dependent upon each individual’s unique background.“
Between 2009 and 2017, more than 10,000 non-U.S. citizens have joined or signed contracts to join the military through the MAVNI program.
“The force has a long history of non-resident service members, something we’re very proud of,” according to Pentagon talking points issued in April as the program was winding down. “The unique skillsets these individuals bring is one of the reasons the Department of Defense is the world’s premier fighting force.”
The program does not grant citizenship to recruits who are accepted. They can apply for citizenship, as can any service member who has honorably served at least six months.
