Can DACA recipients enlist in the US military?

I'm curious about pathways for DACA recipients interested in joining the military. Are there any current policies or programs that allow them to enlist? Would love to know about any specific requirements or challenges they might face.

Indeed, it is possible for DACA recipients, often known as "Dreamers," to enlist in the U.S. military under specific circumstances. The primary program that facilitates this is the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program. This program allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the United States to join the military and thereby qualify for expedited citizenship.

However, there are specific qualifications for MAVNI. It only allows immigrants with certain linguistic skills or medical expertise to enlist. Typically, these skills must be ones that the Department of Defense has identified as critical to the national interest. Moreover, as of now, the MAVNI program is not accepting new applicants - it was suspended in 2016 and remains so. This means that DACA recipients cannot currently enlist in the military through MAVNI.

There might be legislative changes in the future that would allow DACA recipients broader access to military service. However, at this point, the opportunities are relatively limited. This might pose a major challenge for DACA recipients wishing to serve.

In terms of requirements, all enlistees, including DACA recipients, must pass a medical examination, be in good moral standing (i.e., not have serious criminal records), have a high school diploma (although sometimes a GED is acceptable), and meet height and weight standards. English proficiency is also essential. Please note that these are general requirements and each branch of the military may have additional specific criteria.

While there does remain a possibility for DACA recipients to enter the military, the path is not straightforward under the current rules and requires specific skills or abilities. It's always recommended to consult with a lawyer or legal adviser regarding specific situations to get the most accurate information.