On Wednesday night, the environment at Fast4Families tent, at capitol building, Washington D.C. was bit poignant. People and activists, who are fasting there in support of the Immigration bill, were in wet eyes. The reason was an arrival of 99 years old World War II Veteran Joseph Medina, along with his Son Michael, in Fast4Families tent. Joseph Medina served in the South Pacific under Gen. Douglas McArthur. Joseph came to show his support to undocumented immigrants and also to visit the World War II Memorial with Sen. Amy Clobuchar.
Medina was orphaned at the age of nine and was brought up by his maternal Aunt. At the age of 5, they moved to Minnesota. His Aunt wrapped him under the blanket five years old while crossing the border. Afterwards they moved to St. Paul in 1925 and Medina started his career as meat packer in his mid-20s. He joined the U.S. Army in January 1944 and just after his training, he came to know that he is not legal citizen of United States.
Recalling that incident, Medina’s son Michael told, “His officers came over and said- ‘Joe, I don’t think you being legally in this country.’ At that time, it was easier to get your legalization. They sent him US Consulate of Canada, offered some papers and told him that he would become citizen on his return trip. It was as simple as that. At present, legalization process is incredibly hard-hitting.”
After being a legal citizen of United States, Journey was much simpler for Joseph Medina. He was sent back to Japan in World War II with troops. When the war ended, He was in Japan. He came to Washington to encourage thousands of DREAMers who long-sufferingly waiting for immigration bill to pass.
Passed in Senate on June 2013, Immigration Reform Bill has trapped in House. While democrats favors this comprehensive bill, GOP leadership wants a series of small bills instead of one comprehensive bill. Undocumented immigrants, who really want to serve this country, can easily join US military forces if this Comprehensive bill gets passed in Congress. Bill also proposes a 13 years of path to citizenship provision. After 13 years, undocumented immigrant may apply for Green Card Medical Exam and get a legal citizenship of United States.
US Navy changed their policies regarding admission to undocumented immigrants by making it compulsory that applicant must be a legal citizen. Following them, Marines department changed their policies in 2011 identical to Navy. The Army simply doesn’t allow undocumented applicants to fill forms. If this Comprehensive Immigration bill get passed it may give a chance to thousands of immigrants who willing to serve in US army.
Michael further added, “We are here to support this bill because there are infinite numbers of young men and women who want to join US military forces but they are denied simply because they are undocumented. We are here to encourage and support them. We are really hoping that things will change in recent future.
Joseph Medina visited World War II memorial accompanied by Senator Amy Clobuchar on Tuesday.
easyIME.com is a free service, which streamlines the immigration medical process for green card aspirants by helping them locate the right USCIS Physician and schedule their Green Card Medical Exam online. Green card aspirants can also find immigration lawyers near their zip code through this service.
