To the Journal editor:

This communication is sent in response to the recent administration interest in immigration reform. Know that my concern regarding the immigration reform issue is not with the earnest efforts of many attempting to ameliorate the situation, but with the cavalier stated position of our president. One more time he has erroneously reached a conclusion that he has the easy answer.

He publicly has said that illegal immigrants who have lived in the country for five years, without breaking our laws, should be eligible for citizenship. Like most easy answers to difficult issues, this one needs serious review. Male illegal immigrants living in the U.S. are aliens. If an alien has lived in the U.S. during their age of 18 to 26, the age required to register with the Selective Service System, and has failed to meet that obligation, the individual has violated the law.

With few exceptions, male United States citizens and male aliens living in the U.S. and its territories must now register with the Selective Service System with the period starting 30 days before, and ending 30 days after, their 18th birthday. Men cannot register after reaching age 26. Our young males are told that one who fails to register may be ineligible for opportunities that may be important to his future. He must register to be eligible for federal student financial aid, most federal employment, and other benefits such as eligibility for job training.

The requirements to register with Selective Service now being followed to the letter of the law by the vast majority of our young citizens will come into question and become difficult, if not impossible, to enforce if this immigration simple solution issue is not properly addressed. Our young citizens and their parents will quickly question the fairness of being obligated to register, be possibly called to serve, if male aliens in the field of millions of illegal immigrants are somehow excused.

Achieving the highest registration compliance rates possible has been a key Selective Service peacetime goal as a means of improving the Nation’s capability to mobilize to meet defense requirements in the event of war or national emergency.

John F. Markes

Marquette