Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat released the following statement in response to a report by the Associated Press (AP) that the U.S. Army is discharging immigrant recruits.
“For the love of country and in defense of freedom, immigrants have served in the U.S. armed forces since the American Revolution and turning them away now is shameful,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Dreamers serve and help keep our nation safe, while the Trump administration has shut the door on their hopes and aspirations in the only nation they have ever called home.
“Hundreds of thousands of reservists and enlisted recruits have given their all to protect and defend our nation, while some have even made the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives like Sgt. Ryan Tejeda, a 26-year-old U.S. Marine from my district who was killed in Baghdad in 2003.
“Many immigrant servicemen serve while dreading their loved ones may be deported from the nation they vowed to protect. Today’s report highlights another effort by the Trump administration to sow fear and hate across America and criminalize immigrant communities. These men and women have honored our nation with their service and now it is time that we honor them by keeping our word in ensuring their rightful path to citizenship.”
