War refugee must register for the Selective Service. WTF?

[El Supremo]

That's right. One of the refugees from war stricken West Africa that my church is sponsoring has to sign up for the draft. He and his family (who lost 3 members to the rebels) have spent 7 years in a a refugee camp and just arrived here last week.

Even though we haven't drafted anybody in a long time, I think this is very wrong. I will have nothing to do with it.

What do you think?

[babylonsister]

1. What draft? Do you mean selective service? nt

[Poppyseedman]

2. If he doesn't sign up, these benefits will be denied to him

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Men, born after December 31, 1959, who aren't registered with Selective Service won't qualify for Federal student loans or grant programs. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans.

CITIZENSHIP
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) makes registration with Selective Service a condition for U.S. citizenship if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday.

FEDERAL JOB TRAINING
The Workforce Investment Act (formerly called the Job Training Partnership Act - JTPA) offers programs that can train young men for jobs in auto mechanics and other skills. This program is only open to those men who register with Selective Service. Only men born after December 31, 1959, are required to show proof of registration.

FEDERAL JOBS
A man must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government and the U.S. Postal Service. Proof of registration is required only for men born after December 31, 1959.

BTW, he's not being drafted.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Yup, ALL men in this country must register with Selective Service

From my FAQ on Conscientious Objector Status, question 1:

What is the current Selective Service registration law?

The last men drafted in the United States were inducted in 1973, and in April of 1975, registration for the Selective Service was abolished. Registration was reinstated by President Carter in July 1980 as a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

All men ages 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service and to keep their registrations up to date. This includes not only natural citizens and those who become citizens before their 26th birthday, but also permanent resident aliens, special agricultural workers in the United States on immigration forms I-688 or I-688A, aliens who have refugee, parolee or asylum status, and even undocumented (illegal) aliens. Lawful non-immigrants on visas (such as diplomatic and consular personnel and families, foreign students, tourists with unexpired visas forms I-94 or I-94A or those with Border Crossing Documents forms I-185, I-186 or I-144) are not required to register, nor are women. Being mentally or physically handicapped is not automatically an exception: If you are able to function in public with or without assistance, you must register if you are otherwise required to register. (See http://www.sss.gov/must.htm for full information.) Registration forms are available in any United States Post Office and at most U. S. high schools.

Failure to register can result in a fine of up to $250,000 and a felony conviction with up to five years in prison. Proof of registration is required to obtain federal student aid, job training benefits and most federal employment. (See http://www.sss.gov/FSbenefits.htm for full information.) Many states have laws making registration with the Selective Service a requirement for similar state programs and jobs.

[El Supremo]

4. Thanks.

At least we don't have to waste time getting him a physical. And it is all done by mail. But still... a war refuge???