{"id":33855,"date":"2018-07-31T12:17:37","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T12:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/31\/commentary-mavni-program-needs-fixed-and-the-military-needs-immigrants-critical-skills\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:06:02","slug":"commentary-mavni-program-needs-fixed-and-the-military-needs-immigrants-critical-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2018\/07\/31\/commentary-mavni-program-needs-fixed-and-the-military-needs-immigrants-critical-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary: MAVNI program needs to be fixed … and the military needs immigrants\u2019 critical skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: The following is an opinion piece. The writer is not employed by Military Times and the views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Military Times or its editorial staff.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The greatest strength of our nation\u2019s military has always been, and remains, our exceptional service members. The military services have the privilege of drawing from a large and diverse talent pool, including dedicated and talented immigrants. Today, there are thousands of immigrants serving with distinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immigrants serving today are a valued and integral part of our military\u2019s readiness. Every day, noncitizens with legal permanent resident status join the military. However, recent news reports would lead you to believe otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These news reports<\/a> conflate the large number of legal permanent residents who continue to enter the military with a relatively small number of individuals who were identified as security risks after applying under a special program that was suspended in 2016. This special program, referred to as the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program, was designed to authorize enlistment of non-U.S. citizens who possess certain critical language and medical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, the Obama administration suspended the MAVNI program because of serious security concerns; no new applicants have been allowed since then. A 2016 Defense Department inspector general\u2019s investigation confirmed what several other classified assessments found: The MAVNI program<\/a> was vulnerable to an unacceptable level of risk from insider threats such as espionage, terrorism and other criminal activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\t