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A plan to allow some young people to serve in the US military even if their parents brought them to America illegally as young children may be the opening some Republicans need to support at least limited immigration reform.

The so-called ENLIST Act would grant to undocumented young immigrants the right to join the US military and be eligible for citizenship after four years.

But the measure already suffered one defeat when its sponsor, Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., tried to add it as an amendment this week to a must-pass defense policy bill.

Still, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) both have said they dont have a problem with the principle of allowing so-called DREAMers to serve in the military and earn an expedited path to citizenship.

Its easy to see why the GOP leaders are open to the idea.

Fewer than 1 percent of Americans currently serve in the US military, and only 13 percent of those living now have ever served. What was once a duty (as well as a rite of passage) for American men has become the exception.

With the end of the draft in 1973, fewer young men enlisted, and though the ranks of the military have been bolstered by the enlistment of women, who make up almost 20 percent of the military now, too few Americans choose to serve their country.

But there are thousands of young men and women who want to serve but cant because they came here illegally, often as very young children or even infants.

They were raised and educated in the United States and now want to pay back the country they love by risking their lives to defend it.

But current law only allows those who are US citizens or permanent residents to serve with one important exception.

See the article here:
Letting dreamers enlist: A no-brainer for immigration fix

Immigration reform ads appear at IMS
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway attracts visitors from all over the world, and that #39;s one reason why some people who want immigration reform are taking their message to the track this weekend.

By: WISH-TV

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Immigration reform ads appear at IMS - Video

Senate Dems renew push for immigration reform
There is a renewed push for immigration reform and this time it comes from Senate Democrats who are pressuring House Republicans to take action now.

By: TFCBalitangAmerica

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Senate Dems renew push for immigration reform - Video

The Rachel Maddow Show
Rachel Maddow reports on how House Majority Leader Eric Cantor abandoned his position on immigration reform once he started feeling pressure from a primary opponent on his right.

By: Breaking News

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The Rachel Maddow Show - Video

Four Senate Democratic leaders told reporters on Thursday they want House Speaker John Boehner,...

Democrats have a new message for House Republicans who have been reluctant to take up a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year: Pass a bill in six weeks, or watch the White House take action on its own.

Four Senate Democratic leaders told reporters on Thursday they want House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to bring legislation to the floor before the August break, or else President Obama would begin taking executive action on immigration issues.

Here is the bottom line, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. They have about a six-week window, from June 10 after the last Republican primary till the August recess. If they don't pass immigration reform then, the president will have no choice but to act on his own.

Democrats said they would not accept piecemeal legislation, either, despite Boehners promise to take up immigration reform in increments.

We are not going to go along with minor fixes that fail to address the huge systematic problems of our immigration system today, Schumer said.

Boehner has refused to take up immigration legislation, citing a lack of trust in Obama, who has used his executive authority to circumvent Congress and in particular Republicans who oppose his ideas.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he'd cut a deal with Boehner so that immigration reform legislation would not be enacted until a new president took office in 2017.

Delaying implementation of immigration reform is not my preference, but I feel so strongly this bill needs to get done, I am willing to show flexibility, Reid said.

Obama has already signaled he intends to take executive action on immigration issues. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is currently re-evaluating the department's deportation policies, in part because of pressure from Latinos over the separation of families.

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Democrats threaten John Boehner on immigration reform