The Secretary of the Army has been granted similar authority by Congress on previous occasions. When Eastern Europe fell to Soviet dominance following World War II. many freedomloving Eastern Europeans fled their native lands to avoid Communist oppression. It became apparent to Congress that many of these refugees. with their linguistic and other skills. could perform a valuable service and bring knowledge to our military that could not otherwise be obtained. Accordingly. Congress amended the law limiting enlistment to U.S. citizens. in order to permit the Secretary of the Army to enlist these refugees. Commonly known as the "Lodge Act." the legislation initially limited the alien enlistment authority given the Secretary of the Army to a 3year period. However. it was subsequently twice extended by Congress.
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refugees