Berlin became a haven for malcontents and ne'er-do-wells from the rest of West Germany in part because its special status meant they could avoid militaryservice.
That's because the idea behind the DREAM Act -- trading legal status for college attendance or militaryservice -- is still unpopular with most voters in this country.
Granting combatant status also would guarantee that beneficiaries of militaryservice members killed in the attack can receive the maximum life insurance benefit, according to Carter's office.