Story by Jude Joffe-Block
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The Pentagon has announced a new policy to allow young people who were brought to the country illegally as children the chance to serve in specific military roles. But advocates who pushed for more military inclusion for immigrants say the plan falls short.
Some Dreamers have long advocated to serve in the U.S. military.
On Thursday, the Pentagon announced those who have qualified for an Obama administration program, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, can apply for a limited military program for foreign nationals with high demand skills. That program offers a fast track to citizenship.
But Margaret Stock, a retired lieutenant colonel from the Army Reserve, said she predicts only about a dozen young people with DACA status will actually qualify for this narrow military program.
"I hate to call it this, but it is basically a bait and switch," she said. "It says we are helping you out but we are not actually, not really helping you out. So you are allowed to do it, but when you try to enlist you will be eligible."
There are only 1,500 slots in this specific program, and DACA applicants will be competing with thousands of other legal immigrants who are already in the line to enlist.
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