Pentagon recruits foreign nationals as immigration enforcement affects military families, report says

The short version

• The U.S. military is increasing recruitment of legal permanent residents and foreign nationals, who currently make up nearly 50,000 active service members.[ABC News]
• Immigration enforcement actions have targeted noncitizen family members of troops, with more than 50 relatives detained during President Trump's second term.[ABC News]
• A federal judge recently ordered the government to facilitate the return of a deported relative, citing due process violations at a military base checkpoint.[ABC News]

Key facts

• The U.S. military recruited nearly 11,000 green-card holders last year, a 62% increase compared to 2021.[ABC News]
• More than 50 spouses and parents of military personnel have been detained under the current administration, with at least six deported.[ABC News]
• Nearly 50,000 foreign nationals actively serve in the U.S. armed forces, while over 16,000 troops were naturalized in 2024.[ABC News]
• A federal judge ruled that a Mexican national deported after being stopped at Camp Pendleton must be brought back due to due process violations.[ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

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