{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364967", "Representatives Polis and Vargas Fight for DACA Individuals Eager to Join Military", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Jared Polis", "P000598", "polis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (CO-2) and Juan Vargas (CA-51) \u00a0were joined by fellow Members of Congress in urging the Department of Defense to issue a memo allowing Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to enlist in all branches of the United States military. Currently, individuals who qualify for DACA are ineligible for service.\r\n\u201cBy allowing DACA individuals to enlist, we not only ensure that all branches of our military remain fully staffed, but also give those who call the United States home an opportunity to defend their country,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cFor many Deferred Action individuals, joining the military would be a way for them to give back to a country that has offered them wonderful opportunities and a bright future.\u201d\r\nWith a shortage of eligible candidates enlisting, the military is facing severe recruiting issues, particularly in the reserves. DACA individuals, who have already undergone extensive background checks and finished high school or received a high school equivalent, make an ideal pool of vetted candidates.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cFor many young people brought to the United States before adulthood, America is the only place they\u2019ve known as home,\u201d said Congressman Polis. \u201cI hope the Department of Defense seizes this opportunity to enlist interested Deferred Action individuals in all branches of our military and allow them to help keep our nation, and their home, safe.\u201d\r\n\u201cDACA individuals have spent the majority of their lives in the United States, many with no memory or tie to their country of origin,\u201d said Congressman Vargas.\u00a0 \u201cThey view themselves as Americans, and as such, would be honored to serve their country and defend the land they call home.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://polis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364967"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.401398891583085, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}