The reasons for this bill are rooted deep in the history of the United States as well as in the current needs of the National Guard in several of our States. Our country needs our support today. to be prepared for tomorrow. we must pass H.R. 5458 this year. H.R. 5458. a pilot program which would run for only 3 years before reevaluation. would enable the National Guard in a few understrength States to make up this deficit through the recruitment of immigrants who are qualified in all other respects save permanent residence status. H.R. 5458 would fill the needs of the military. not only quantitatively. but qualitatively. with highly qualified natives of dozens of foreign nations which. prior to the change in immigration regulations in the 1960s. had provided a significant part of the National Guard and regular military manpower recruitment pool. A competitive advantage would be gained in the world by understanding that not everyone operates by the same values. world view. or methodology as Americans. An understanding of the leadership requirements for the United States in a world where America no longer enjoys dominance of the postWorld War II era requires that we enfranchise and assimilate people who can provide our military. economy. and society with a native understanding of these differences. Historically. military service has been the most effective and efficient means of integrating an immigrant into full participation in American society. Many did not even imagine in 1980 that in 1990 it would suddenly become important to have native speakers of Lithuanian. Lativian.
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immigrant immigration immigrants