John Conyers: “Since this Nation's founding, more than 55 million immigrants from every continent have settled in the United States.…”

“Since this Nation's founding, more than 55 million immigrants from every continent have settled in the United States. Many of these immigrants have not only payed taxes and adopted the American way of life, they have honorably defended our Nation as members of the military. During the recent war with Iraq, immigrant soldiers have continued to defend our country in large numbers, and tragically 10 noncitizens have lost their lives. It is important that we honor the extraordinary contributions these immigrants make to the Armed Forces by facilitating their naturalization and establishing important protections for their families if they are killed in action. Surely, if these immigrants are willing to risk their lives for our country, the least we can do is grant them the citizenship they so greatly desire. Unfortunately, the rigidness of current immigrant laws often prevents individuals like these soldiers, who are truly deserving, to be granted citizenship.”