Kenyans In America Rank Top Among African Immigrants Serving in US Armed Forces

When Simon Kisanga signed up to join the United States Marines two months after immigrating to America from Kenya, it was a fulfilment of a dream he harbored for years. Back home, he had tried countless times to enlist with the Kenyan Armed Forces, but was never shortlisted; if anything, according to Simon, the process in Kenya was never fair.Simon is one of the many Kenyans currently serving in the different branches of the armed forces in America. According to latest data (2017) from the US Census bureau, Kenyan immigrants rank top among African immigrants in America serving in the military. According to this data, 0.4% of Kenyans in America are with the Armed Forces; Ghanaians in America rank second with 0.3% serving in the military. 0.1% of Nigerians and South Africans in America serve in the military.Immigrants serving in the United States military has deep historical roots. Non-citizens have fought in and with the U. S. Armed forces since the Revolutionary War. While immigrants with a Green card can enlist in the military, they cannot be commissioned or serve in jobs within the military that require special security clearance (Intelligence, Nuclear Power, Special Operations).According to February 2012 data from the Department of Defense, more than 24,000 immigrants ( non citizens and naturalized citizens) were serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. This represents approximately 3% of all active-duty personnel.For an immigrant who joined the US. military, once they are in active duty status in the military, the process of going from a non-citizen to U.S. citizen can be expedited. With the citizenship status, the process of bringing to America a significant other (Wife, husband, fiancé, fiancée) who is back in Kenya is easier, and faster.The US Census bureau estimates there are close to 140,000 Kenyans living in America.