It was with great interest that I recently listened to Congressman Jim Clyburn (6th U.S. District for S.C.) tell Fox News Sunday that “illegal immigrants served in our military in Iraq and Afghanistan.” He apparently made the statement in an attempt to chastise Arizona’s new anti–illegal immigration law and to gain sympathy and support for illegal immigrants.

As a U.S. congressman, he should have known better. The truth is that illegal immigrants cannot serve in our nation’s military forces. A quick search on the internet provides multiple sources stating the obvious—one must be a legal resident or legal immigrant to enter the U.S. military. Congressman Clyburn’s statement was either an oversight on his part or an effort to gain support for illegal immigrants. In any event, his statement is incorrect.

Our nation’s splendid and honorable military men and women do not deserve to have Congressman Clyburn’s mis–characterization applied to them. An apology from Congressman Clyburn to our military personnel is in order.
Robert Young
Colonel, U.S.Army (retired)
Sumter, S.C.