Klobuchar Joins 99-Year-Old Minnesota Veteran at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to Urge Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform to Allow Dreamers to Serve in the Military

Press Release

Joseph Medina is a 99-year old Minnesota veteran that came to the United States as a small child and found out he was undocumented when he entered in the military during World War II

Earlier this year, the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform which would allow DREAMers -- young people who were brought to the U.S. as children -- to legally serve in the military; under current rules undocumented immigrants are barred from enlisting

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today joined 99-year-old Minnesota veteran Joseph Medina for his visit to the World War II Memorial and called for comprehensive immigration reform that would allow DREAMers to serve in the military. Mr. Medina came to the United States as a small child and found out he was undocumented when he entered the military. Earlier this year, the Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform which would allow DREAMers -- young people who were brought to the U.S. as children -- to legally serve in the military; under current rules undocumented immigrants are barred from enlisting. Klobuchar and Medina were also joined at the memorial by two young Minnesota DREAMers -- Karen Velez and Guillermo Illescas -- who aspire to serve in the military.

"Veterans like Joseph are a testament to the values of our country and an inspiration to a new generation of DREAMers," Klobuchar said. "These kids were brought to the country as children, through no fault of their own, and Congress needs to pass comprehensive immigration reform so they can follow in the footsteps of the brave soldiers like Joseph and serve our country."

Joseph Medina's family brought him to the U.S. from Mexico when he was a small child. His adopted parents had green cards to work and settled in Minnesota when he was five years old. In 1944, he entered the service and began military training. That was when he learned that he was undocumented. In order to serve, he had to go to Canada and then reenter the United States. He later became a citizen and was sent to the Pacific to join General MacArthur's Eighth Army.

Karen Velez and Guillermo Illescas are both students at Eastview High School in Apple Valley. Karen was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 3 years old and would like to serve in the National Guard. Guillermo is was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 5 years old and would like to be a pilot in the Air Force.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would create an accountable pathway to citizenship, strengthen border security, and reform the legal immigration system. The bill contains the DREAM Act, which would provide legal status for young people who were brought to the U.S. as children and find themselves in their situation through no fault of their own. Under the bill, DREAMers who qualify would be eligible to work, go to school, and join the military.

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