A prominent government watchdog group is taking action by filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request directed at the U.S. Selective Service System (SSS). This request seeks information regarding illegal immigrants who have failed to register for the draft, an action that constitutes a felony under U.S. law.
Mike Howell, the executive director of the Oversight Project, clarified that this move does not signify approval for illegal immigrants to serve in the military. According to the Military Selective Service Act of 1917, all males in the U.S. aged 18 to 26 are required to register with the SSS, with violations resulting in serious penalties, including felony charges and hefty fines.
Moreover, the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 states that failing to register with the SSS can lead to deportation. Howell pointed out that the SSS has clear guidelines indicating that undocumented individuals must also sign up for the draft.
However, the SSS’s own website claims that it does not collect or disclose information regarding a person’s immigration status, stating such details are irrelevant to the registration requirement. This inconsistency has raised questions, especially given a recent report showing that while there have been thousands of registrations from legal immigrants, there are no records from agencies managing illegal immigration.
In a recent interview, Howell, alongside attorney Kyle Brosnan, highlighted that SSS registrations have not increased despite a notable rise in military-aged males entering the country. They argue that this suggests widespread non-compliance among these individuals regarding the registration process.
Brosnan stated that, given the influx of around 10 million illegal immigrants over the past four years, a corresponding increase in SSS registrations should have been evident. He questioned how the Biden administration, which has frequently touted its processing efforts, has not seen a rise in registrations.
The findings from the FOIA request could not only shed light on whether undocumented immigrants are evading the draft but could also potentially support efforts for enhanced immigration enforcement. Considering that failing to register with the SSS is a felony, this situation could provide a basis for stricter deportation measures, similar to those proposed during the Trump administration.
Howell believes that these developments could open new avenues for immigration enforcement by federal agencies, which may lead to a substantial impact on how the government addresses the issue of illegal immigration.
The Oversight Project has requested various data points from the SSS to better understand how many asylum seekers and illegal immigrants may be breaking the law by not registering for the draft. Copies of the FOIA letter will also be sent to key administration officials, including Border Czar Thomas Homan and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
This initiative reflects a growing concern among conservatives regarding immigration controls and the obligations of all individuals within the country, regardless of their legal status.
