The U.S. military is going to begin recruiting immigrants with temporary visas who also possess certain language skills or education that is in demand.  The program would be limited to 1,000 people annually, and immigrants would be allowed to become citizens in 6 months.  In order to qualify, applicants would need a temporary visa, possess skills that are in demand, need to have lived in the United States for at least 2 years, and cannot have been out of the country for more than 90 days.  This seems like a good way to address shortages in certain areas, but the military needs to proceed with caution.

     I'm hoping the program remains limited only to those who have skills the military needs and is not greatly expanded in the future.  I also think it would be better to grant citizenship at the conclusion of military service, rather than after 6 months.  With that said, it could turn out to be a useful program.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090215/us_nm/us_usa_military_immigrants;_ylt=AsLXhiLXNXCGpfIqX8kx0qUDW7oF