Former Congress Member’s “Mostly False” Claim that President is Permitting “Illegal Aliens” to Enlist
In case you missed this claim making the social media rounds, former U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is saying that President Barack Obama has extended open arms to undocumented immigrants to join the U.S. military.
West specifically has said that Obama “ordered our military to enlist illegal aliens.” According to PolitiFact, West is right that the administration has decided to allow certain recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to enlist. “However, West’s analysis exaggerates what’s going on. The program in question was initiated by [President] Bush in 2008, before Obama was president. In addition, contrary to West’s sweeping suggestion, experts say it’s doubtful that many undocumented immigrants would be brought into the military. And Obama didn’t order the military to take illegal aliens but rather made it an option. The statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression, so we rate it Mostly False.”
KJ