Oh boy, oh boy. Just when you think you’ve heard it all… Goto: WWII vet discovers he’s not a U.S. citizen - Yahoo! News Here is wishing the gentleman all the best in his quest to straighten out his citizenship status. GOOD LUCK SIR!!!
Yikes! I'm surprised Janet Napolitano isn't at his door step ready to send him back to the the "Great White North"! Yes, best of luck to him in getting this citizenship mess cleared up!
This reminds me also of Alex Munoz who served in Beruit Lebanon and was killed in the bombing there. A memorial was raised in Bloomfield New Mexico where he went to High School. He was always a good example for others and joined the military because he so admired this country and its opportunities. Alex's parents were legal immigrants from Mexico and he was not a citizen. He was awarded his citizenship after his loss and is considered a hero amongst those who were his classmates and friends. That is why they raised the memorial and I hope the soldier you speak of is properly treated with what he has earned with his service.
This guy didn't have to "earn citizenship" with his service. His parents were Americans, one born in Iowa and one from Nebraska (I think), who were visiting friends in Canada when he was born. They failed to fill out some form or other in 1916 or something to "alert" the American authorities that he had been born in B.C. while they were visiting. When he enlisted in the USN right after Pearl Harbor he was told his being born in Canada wasn't a problem, since he was born of American parents. He didn't know there was a problem until he went to get an "enhanced drivers license" as per the 2008 rules put down for border crossing between Canada and even Mexico, which had never before required either passports or visas. Just too weird, a guy 95 or so years old, born of American parents (not immigrants), served in the USN during WW2 and because his now long dead parents didn't fill out some form or other his citizenship is in question? Fortunately his US Senator has stepped in and the whole thing is being resolved. Just thought it was weird is all.
Clint if you don't mind, keep us posted on Mr Davidson's progress please. This is just too weird to be true, but stranger things has happened.
Bobby, here is what I found today. The good news is, some section of the federal government is hip to the Kafkaesque absurdity going down here, and has assured Davidson he can join the ranks of les Américains with signatures on a few form letters. We're sure the intercession of Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) didn't hurt. Goto: Is This 95-Year-Old WWII Vet an Anchor Baby? (Video) | Mother Jones
What a shame to even stress the guy out or have the nerve to say his social security can be taken away. I know people that are Americans and live off the system. They have not and will not do anything for their country. I hope they get the issues cleared up quickly.
I say that service (especially during wartime) should automatically grant membership. Maybe a certain time-frame should be imposed on that, to keep the recruiters from being flooded with illegals looking to do a two-year stint in a kitchen at some camp in the middle of the US somewhere, but in general, if you served honorably during a war (especially one as long ago as WW2!!!), there should be no question about your citizenship. And certainly no threats to take away your benefits!!!!
