How To Solve Two Big Problems At Once

The world, and consequently the US of A, has a raft of problems right now. Two of them are the unequipped Latin army invading the American southwest and the Russian Special Operation in Ukraine. There are some things that can be done to solve both of those issues.

First of all, it's time to admit that the US, by supplying Ukraine with weapons and training, is for all practical purposes, at war with Russia. At some time in the near future troops will need to be sent into battle there.

But what troops will fulfill the role of cannon fodder for the Russian tanks, missiles and Iranian drones? 

The fact is that there is still a Selective Service Commission that exists to revive the draft if men are needed. The draft can include not only US citizens, but also residents. Which means males of a certain age group living in the US, citizens or no. All resident males in the US from age 18 to 26 are legally required to register with the Selective Service or face felony charges.

No doubt practically all the young males that have slipped across the southern border into the US have immediately registered. They are thus available for conscription, basic training and deployment. 

This would serve the purpose of creating fighting units without disturbing potential US voters and acclimate and assimilate immigrants into the greater society. Many, after serving a tour in Ukraine, might wish to return there. It's also likely that some unregistered immigrants would prefer to return to their homes rather than serve in the military and those who have yet to make the trip north might wish to reconsider that option.

It's a win-win solution, a steady supply of combat troops and a probable decrease in illegal immigration. What's not to like?

Not only that, but similar units in other countries have been formed in the past and perhaps even now. The legendary French Foreign Legion included no Frenchmen. The Roman army had units made up entirely of barbarian men. Part of the process of empire is not only establishing alliances with foreign countries but also integrating their people into the empire's forces. The Nepalese Ghurkas, stationed now at Folkestone, Kent, UK, have been a significant part of the UK military for almost 200 years but do not become citizens.

Perhaps a US unit of Guatemalans or Salvadorans could establish a similar tradition.