Obsolete Law Unfair to 5,000

Eleanor Palisoc’s case was so tragic that the Immigration and Naturalization Service found a way around the law. The 28-year-old Filipina, who is the widow of a Navy electrician’s mate, will be allowed to remain in the United States with her two children.

To have done anything else would have been heartless.

Eleanor Palisoc’s husband, Daniel, was killed in an automobile accident the day after their second child was born. A month later, she received a form letter from the INS saying that she had to leave the United States.

Only after the Navy, the Filipino community and politicians came to her aid did the INS change its mind.

But the families of about 5,000 other Navy men who enlisted in the Philippines might not be so lucky because of a little-known, and unjust, law that prevents Philippine citizens serving in the Navy from becoming American citizens unless they serve during wartime.

Citizens of other countries, who are only allowed to enlist in the armed services if they are permanent U. S. residents, are eligible for citizenship after three years of honorable service.

A few attempts to revise the law have been made; the most promising right now is a bill by Rep. Norman Mineta (D-San Jose). But, even though there has been little opposition, none of the measures has made much progress.

A change in this almost century-old law is overdue. About 5,000 Navy men deserve it.