How does this work?

So, I've been thinking about posting about this for a while now. Just haven't been sure what to say............................
Start at the beginning: (Did you ever have that kind of teacher-imparted wisdom given to you?)

My oldest boy (soon to be 18 - yikes! Where did the time go?) informed me, during the last few weeks of his junior year, that he had decided to join the US Marines. This did not go down well with me. I reminded him of one of the reasons we had specifically chosen a country like the US - for freedom of choice. He is not obligated to make any contribution to the military. He made it very clear to me that he understood this. He did not feel obligated, he wanted to do this.

Okay, but there's a war going on, remember? One that I, personally don't necessarily agree with. I mean, I can see how it happened. I understand some of the thoughts behind "taking action" in defense of one's country and people. And, quite frankly, after living in South Africa for most of my life, I've felt extremely grateful to live in a country like the US that actually makes an effort to keep it's citizens safe. BUT, I don't want my kid to be part of the group that is out there "keeping the US safe."

After much discussion, lots of prayer on my part, we relented. I say relented, but really, what I mean is that I agreed to support him in his decision. Because he made it very clear, in a kind, polite way, that he would join with or without my permission. He really wanted my permission to join sooner, but if he couldn't get it, well then he would just wait it out.

What about college? He promised faithfully that he would still attend college, with "their" help.

So off we went to the recruiting center down in Silverdale to find out all the information we needed. I have never been called "Ma'am" so many times in one sitting in my entire life.

I became so proud watching Timothy begin his endeavor. He conducted himself so well during his meetings with the recruiting officers. He asked very important questions. He made accommodations for all my concerns. He scored a predicted 75 on his pretesting. Then, when he actually took the real ASVAB testing, a few months after turning 17, he scored 92 / 97!!!!! We were so impressed, and apparently so was the military. We began receiving so many calls, not just from the Marines, but other departments as well, and even the possibility of an Officer's Program was mentioned!

After speaking it over with the recruiter and us, Tim decided he wanted to try get into the early enrollment program. It would mean weekly get togethers to work on physical training, and a few other things. He took a college course over the Summer, and included some independent P.E. classes during his first senior semester. This gave him enough credits to graduate at the end of his first semester as a senior. He then planned to go to boot camp and be back "on leave" during graduation. He was really looking forward to wearing his "blues" to graduation.

After all the planning, talking and extra work, he found out that he could not be accepted into the US military because he is not a US citizen. Initially, I was so happy and so very relieved. However, when I saw how disappointed he was, and when I thought about all his hard work, and when I conceded that he hadn't actually done anything bad - in fact he done something good - he had set a goal for himself and set out to accomplish it, I felt bad for him. After all, we raised him to stand firm for what he believes in, and hard as it is to accept, it's not always going to be what we believe. He wanted this so badly, and it hurts me to know that it hurts him.

So, how does this work? He's lived in the US since he was nine. He's been to Ordway, Sakai, Woodward, BHS. That's all he knows. Bainbridge schools here in the US. His friends are here, his girlfriend is here. He speaks with somewhat of an American accent. He eats turkey at Thanksgiving and celebrates Christmas in Winter. He knows the American Anthem. But he doesn't have citizenship.

Our family is not illegal. We've been through the correct process, and just recently our request for immigration was denied. After being here for eight years. And having our youngest son born here - a US citizen. It seems that we will have to leave the US eventually. Hard as it will be, it's okay. We've followed the rules and we will continue to do that.

That's what brings me to this: We've followed the rules. We've never once felt entitlement since coming to the US. We've always known that we may have to leave, and we've always considered it a priveledge to have been here for whatever time we may end up getting. Just recently though, I've been following the Immigration debate in congress. Do you all know about it? I think it could be good in some ways. It will help undocumented workers, in the long term they may even qualify for a green card!

But it leaves me, and my family crying out loudly: WHAT ABOUT US? WE'VE FOLLOWED ALL YOUR RULES! WE HAVE DOCUMENTS! WE HAVE WORK AUTHORIZATION PERMITS! WE HAVE A US CITIZEN CHILD! WE DON'T USE YOUR WELFARE SYSTEM! WE PAY TAXES! WE WORK - ONE OF US IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT!

For people like us, it begs the question: Become illegal and undocumented to obtain eventual citizenship?

So, People of the Internet: What do you think? Should my son (regardless of Mama's feelings, or your personal feelings about Iraq) be allowed to join the US Marines and serve in a country he has grown up in and loves? Or does he not deserve this, seeing as his parents made the decision to "risk it all" and bring him to the US for a safer life?
Should people who have been here for a certain number of years have to leave, even though they have a child born in the US?
Let me know, I'm looking forward to your opinions.