Green Card Soldier

Meer over het boek

This book provides a troubling examination of a little-known group of immigrants: non-citizen soldiers in the US military. While the military is often seen as composed of citizen soldiers, nearly 5 percent of first-time recruits are noncitizens, many of whom enlist with the hope of gaining citizenship through their service. The author interviews over seventy noncitizen soldiers from twenty-three countries, including those displaced by conflict following US military interventions in their homelands. This reveals a disturbing cycle: US military actions drive migration, which in turn supplies a cheap labor pool for the military. Despite their service, noncitizen soldiers face the constant threat of deportation, with the promise of citizenship used as leverage to discipline them. They often encounter discrimination from native-born colleagues and superiors, viewed alternately as security threats and model minorities. Their narratives, intertwined with themes of colonial legacies, white supremacy, and exploitation, illustrate how perceptions of deservingness and suspicion influence their experiences and identities. By amplifying the voices of these immigrants, the book sheds light on the intricate dynamics of US empire, global militarism, and the complexities of citizenship.