An immigration attorney is urging immigrants to pay close attention to a forthcoming federal policy that will automatically register eligible men for the Selective Service System, warning that many non-citizens may be unaware of how the change could affect them.
Kinda Melissa Velloza, an immigration lawyer and social media commentator, recently shared a video discussing the policy, which is expected to begin automatic registration of eligible males between the ages of 18 and 25 into the Selective Service System.
While the United States does not currently have an active military draft, Velloza said the policy deserves scrutiny, particularly from immigrant communities.
“Immigrants especially need to pay closer attention to policies like this to understand what they’re up against,” she said.
In her video, Velloza explained that the automatic registration process would not be limited to U.S. citizens. According to her remarks, green card holders, refugees, asylum seekers, and many undocumented immigrants would also be entered into the Selective Service database if they fall within the eligible age range.
“It’s not only U.S. citizens,” she said. “Green card holders, refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants too will be added.”
The attorney noted that concerns about the policy are not necessarily tied to the existence of a current draft but to the broader implications of automatic enrollment during a period of global instability.
“With everything that’s happening globally right now, wars, political tensions, countries preparing for the unknown, of course we’re going to read deeper into this,” Velloza said.
She also highlighted the perspective of immigrants who may have arrived in the United States seeking stability and opportunity, only to discover they are subject to federal registration requirements that many citizens themselves rarely think about.
“Imagine leaving your country, trying to come to the United States to build a life here, trying to survive immigration stress already, and now the government could automatically place you into a military draft system,” she said.
The Selective Service System maintains information on individuals who could potentially be called upon if Congress and the president were ever to authorize a military draft.
Although the United States has relied on an all-volunteer military force for decades, federal law has long required many males living in the country, including certain non-citizens, to register with Selective Service.
Under existing rules, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, and many undocumented immigrants are generally required to register if they meet age requirements. Automatic registration would largely shift the responsibility from individuals to government agencies.
Velloza’s comments have sparked discussion online, with some users expressing surprise that immigration status does not exempt many individuals from Selective Service requirements.
She concluded her video by posing a question to viewers.
“Would you be happy being drafted?” she asked.
Meanwhile, legal experts note that automatic registration does not mean a military draft is imminent.
However, advocates like Velloza say the policy serves as a reminder that immigrants should remain informed about laws and regulations that may affect their rights and responsibilities in the United States.
