Illegal immigrants are getting more aid than our deployed troops and their families, and the general public views it as a sign that something is wrong.
Those who serve have very little, while politicians like New York City Mayor Eric Adams are lavishing prepaid debit cards, free meals, and free hotel stays on the illegal migrant population.
Reports surfaced last week about a letter Army Captain Christopher Wilson sent to Congress outlining a wage disparity for troops in his unit. Wilson was deployed as a component of the Korean Response Force. They were paid less while serving abroad than they would have been at home.
A monthly basic stipend of nearly $460 was reported to be received by Wilson’s group in a February report. Even if they don’t eat in the dining halls on bases, they still have to pay $399 monthly for meals while deployed.
Service members still incur a monthly loss of $200 while getting $195 in incentive pay. They get an extra $250 if they have families.
According to a report, the figures show that troops lose $1,860 in wages throughout a nine-month deployment compared to what they would have earned had they remained at home.
Currently, New York Mayor Adam’s proposal calls for providing illegal migrants with about $360 per month, or more than $1,400 for a family of four. Those who break the rules of the program risk losing access to it, but they won’t be deported. Over the following three years, New York’s healthcare costs for illegal immigrants are projected to surpass $12 billion.
Proponents of the proposed reform argue that all military deployments, not just those in war zones, should be exempt from taxes to minimize deductions for deployed troops.
Individuals residing in areas designated as conflict zones are now the only ones eligible for the conflict Zone Tax Exclusion, but all other deployed military personnel are required to pay deductions.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and others have brought this matter to the attention of the House Armed Services Committee, yet the problem still exists. Rep. Garcia states this is a matter of national security as it concerns retention. He said the government is sending our military and veterans the message that lawbreakers are far more valuable than service members.
