By Debbie McGoldrick

Selective Service

Haven't the Democrats been acting rather strange since their overwhelming victory at the polls? First, House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi openly picks the wrong horse in the race to succeed her as House Speaker, and now, the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Charlie Rangel of New York, says he thinks it would be a good idea to re-institute the draft.

Ah, the draft, two words feared by most mothers of American-born sons. Rangel is proposing that Americans – males and females – over the age of 18 sign up for voluntary service. He maintains that reinstatement of the draft would prevent politicians from starting wars.

Rangel’s Democratic colleagues have said that his proposals will go nowhere – talk about scaring the heck out of the coveted soccer mom constituency! – but the issue of military service brings to mind the obligations that non-citizens have as far as fulfilling U.S. requirements.

As the law stands now, virtually all male U.S. citizens and non-citizens aged between 18 and 25 resident in the country must register with the federal agency called Selective Service – exceptions include those here on student visas or tourist visas. Green card holders and other non-immigrants are required to register, as are undocumented immigrants – yes, the dreaded illegals that certain members of the U.S. government wants to get rid of.

In fact, on the Selective Service website’s homepage (www.sss.gov), there’s a notice highlighted that urges “undocumented males” to make themselves known.

“Attention undocumented males and immigrant servicing groups!” the headline reads. “If you are a man ages 18 and 25 and living in the U.S. then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law.

“Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service.”

Selective Service compiles registrants in the event that a draft would be reinstated by the U.S. government. “It exists to serve the emergency manpower needs of the military by conscripting untrained manpower, or personnel with professional health care skills, if directed by Congress and the president in a national crisis,” says its mission statement.

There certainly are consequences associated with failing to fulfill Selective Service requirements. For one, U.S. citizenship can – and has – been denied to those who fail to register after securing permanent resident status.

U.S. citizens can also feel the sting of non-compliance. They can be denied government jobs and federal assistance for college tuition.

For more information on Selective Service visit the website provided above.

New USCIS Site

THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has spruced up its website, which is looking good and is now even more user-friendly. The agency ushered in its new look earlier this month.

Not surprisingly the site – www.uscis.gov — is one of the most popular federal government sites as far as users go, with 135,000 visitors daily and six million per month.

USCIS says visitors will now have an easier time accessing information, such as downloading forms and signing up online for appointments.

“USCIS.gov is often the first point of contact for USCIS applicants, their families and the interested public. Our previous website left many of those visitors without answers to their questions,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez.

“With the launch of the new web portal, visitors will find the in-demand information they need within a sleek, modern framework. It’s a giant step forward for our agency and a helpful new tool for our applicants.”