In his Boston Globe editorial, columnist Jeff Jacoby proposes a single solution to two problems: let immigrants serve in the military and gain a fast path to citizenship.

He notes that one in five union soldiers in the Civil War was an Irish immigrant. I believe that the Irish immigrants were forced into service in a sort of indentured servitude by not being able to buy their way out for $300, so that may be a bad example; but the thought of letting prospective citizens earn their citizenship through military service has some merit.

While the languange may be a barrier it may also be a benefit in a world of shifting global requirements. Security concerns may require some limitations. It would certainly be more palatable than a draft.

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