California Representative, Jeff Denham is hoping to gain the support of President-Elect, Donald Trump, for his idea on immigration reform. According to the Los Angeles Times, Denham wants to persuade Congress to allow undocumented immigrants, who came to the US as minors to stay, providing they agree to join the military.
Trump made clear his intention to deport millions of undocumented immigrants during his Presidential campaign but appeared to soften this stance slightly following his victory – he noted that it would be a special circumstance for those who were part of the US military. Denham pointed out that his own comrades, back in the Desert Storm Air Force, had earned their citizenship by doing military service, calling it a great show of patriotism.
Denham is hoping that his new immigration bill will be approved without either of the major political parties causing a delay. The bill only applies to undocumented immigrants who came to the US as minors before 2012. Eligible candidates will have to be able to pass military recruitment standards, such as a background check, possession of a high school diploma, and be proficient with the English language. Immigrants would have to complete a full tour of duty to be granted citizenship.
Immigration continues to be the most hotly debated topic of the Trump administration before the President-Elect even takes office, on Friday. His new choice for Attorney General is the fiercely anti-immigration Alabama Senator, Jeff Sessions.