Imagine serving your country, fighting overseas, and then being forced to leave. It sounds unbelievable, but this happens with veterans facing deportation. It’s a reality many don’t realize is going on within our own borders.
The fact that men and women that served in the U.S. military are deported, truly calls into question basic values of the Country. It raises concerns about the system. More than 40,000 foreign nationals are serving in the U.S. military, and lots of them are at risk deportation.
The idea of soldiers facing deportation seems contradictory to all that patriotism should stand for.
Table Of Contents:
- The Reality of Deported Veterans
- How Criminal Convictions Impact Deportation for veterans
- Advocacy and Legislative Efforts to protect US military Veterans
- Stories From Deported Veterans
- Accessing VA Services After Deportation
- Statistics and The Impact of veterans facing deportation
- Working for reform of Veterans Facing Deportation
- FAQs about veterans facing deportation
- Conclusion
The Reality of Deported Veterans
It may seem counterintuitive that people that served this country, many times honorably and receiving an honorable discharge, get deported. But, this happens after non-citizens complete their time in service. Often it boils down to actions after they finish with military service.
Many veterans that face deportation may have legal permanent residence in the US. Although they have served, this does not provide any fast-track citizenship.
How Criminal Convictions Impact Deportation for veterans
A lot of veterans, that face deportation, might have ended up deported due to a criminal record. This could have resulted in deportation regardless. It depends though on several factors, with some convictions being enough to allow US Government Agencies, such as ICE agents, to consider taking measures.
Even minor offenses can lead to significant problems for our veteran heroes. Something as seemingly simple as possession of a small amount of illegal drugs can be an issue. Under the current laws, that alone might be all that is required for deportations of foreign national serving or that have served, with some not even being able to receive consideration by Judges when hearing their cases in Immigration Court.
Specific Crimes Leading to Deportation
There’s many different types of violations, of any Federal, State, Local Law, Code, Ordinance, or even traffic. A veteran being convicted, under such Law’s, Codes, and Ordinance might end up getting someone kicked out. The fact is, those Laws need updating to allow cases, in certain circumstances.
There must be Judges, and Juries to determine these matters based on specific facts to each of their situations. An immigration attorney could help navigate these situations.
Here are a few potential actions or violations:
- Driving under the influence of Alcohol or Controlled substances.
- Possession of a weapon or discharging it within certain limits.
- Domestic battery.
- Theft or Larceny.
- Various other violations, traffic citations.
This shows a deep issue in the system. Someone’s past or even time spent in service must factor in on some of these offenses.
Advocacy and Legislative Efforts to protect US military Veterans
There is work, though not even close to being enough of it. Efforts are being made to change laws to avoid deportations. Advocates fear current practices and groups are asking for more consideration in cases involving veterans.
Many cases exist. Several advocacy groups highlight these cases with groups trying to gain public support and more favorable legislative changes to get politicians backing Laws to help them out.
In particular, some veteran advocacy organizations like the ACLU of Southern California, work to help them and push political support.
Pushing for More Changes in Current Law
Efforts aren’t just made by groups outside of government. Current government officials are joining to fight on their side.
Last year, the Veterans Service and Recognition Act, also called HR 4569, was brought up. There had also been many calling for President Biden during his time in office to do something about many of the deportations as many non-citizen veterans end up with mental issues and turn to self-medication. Some advocates were hoping for pardons before he left office.
It points out that we have work ahead of us. These veterans fought for this country. It should be easier for them to earn the title and citizenship.
Stories From Deported Veterans
It helps a lot to learn firsthand about issues with personal stories. People better understand something from direct contact, or experiences of friends or neighbors.
Alex Murillo’s case serves as a strong example. Murillo, a U.S. Navy veteran, got deported, despite his service.
He experienced spending 11 years in exile. Groups worked to have his status be reconsidered. Murillo has thankfully returned to U.S. soil, but he still fears a return to being sent away. Murillo’s risk, because of previous convictions, can be lifted and organizations call for those types of remedies from Federal Officials.
The Emotional Toll
Deportation divides many service men, women, and their children and loved ones. This creates issues within families, with added separation from their homes, family, jobs.
Murillo said “I experienced deportation and family separation, and it’s probably the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.” His statement showed some depth behind his issues. Cases like his show an extreme issue many men and women now fight for – US Military veterans and veterans facing deportation.
These concerns should be paramount for Law Makers. These situations should call them to take up causes like Mr. Murrilo, and to provide him and those other deported US Veterans the life here, and the citizenship many signed up for.
Accessing VA Services After Deportation
After being removed from our US, veterans facing deportation face challenges. These deported veterans often lose support, including Veterans Affairs medical, benefits, pensions and treatment. The fact these exist seems like issues, not getting care deserved, only complicates their lives and others around them.
Limited Access, and Major Health Challenges
It adds additional emotional weight to those brave soldiers and the sacrifices. Challenges, struggles with the health-care process for veteran issues can go hand-in-hand, but this only complicates that further, or creates a major barrier.
Without the support systems, these military families in foreign land will likely not be able to access the needed medical benefits they once enjoyed in this great Nation. Some may have served in the Iraq War.
Statistics and The Impact of veterans facing deportation
It’s tough to estimate exact count with deportations, because the systems in place did not previously account for. The tracking involved for prior-military ended up not factoring it for various circumstances, so nobody was taking that information into consideration.
It’s believed a lot of the failure to check up, or lack of communication with agencies involved goes back to various things including. The American Immigration Council stated that in a single five year window the estimates were for about 250.
Many of these veterans may have suffered brain trauma during their service.
Why this Information matters
These veterans put their life in jeopardy at times. The lack of concern goes against what makes this country great.
Some have developed high blood pressure due to the stress of their service, requiring ongoing medical attention from Veterans Affairs doctors.
Working for reform of Veterans Facing Deportation
Organizations continue to call on support to reverse certain deportation policy. Some cases do gain relief through those calls, and there’s now growing efforts. Many have lobbied political leaders for changes.
It requires a team effort.
| Organization | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Common Defense | Advocates for veteran rights and protests against anti-immigrant laws. |
| Vets Forward | Focuses on supporting deported veterans. It calls for reform in immigration laws. |
| Black Deported Veterans of America | Works to bring awareness and to get changes in US, and veteran policy and support to fix any gaps that allow former troops to live in uncertainty or fear. |
What These Changes can fix?
Changing laws does a lot.
First and foremost is providing help. Allowing some men and woman to get relief or another fair review and second chances at remaining in the US with their friends and families will be important.
Legislative efforts and public awareness could change current practice. Groups are currently focused on Marlon Parris’ release after a recent case.
FAQs about veterans facing deportation
Why are veterans being deported?
Veterans may be deported for offenses like driving under the influence, domestic disputes, and other actions. These types of problems happen a lot from our troops as they suffer PTSD issues due to their overseas sacrifices, including their time spent serving in dangerous battles.
These laws affect both citizens and those here in the country legally as permanent residents with green cards. Changes were also made under previous Presidential administrations and congress.
Often, deportation is a result of a nonviolent felony drug charge, leading to a complex immigration court hearing.
What is the most common cause of deportation?
Often, its actions on top of issues like failing to follow up on certain naturalization process. Many people find challenges dealing with various complicated legal documents and rules to allow their citizenship here, and issues like “missing a form” or filling one out partially could complicate or delay things.
For someone already dealing with legal matters, or convictions from those type situations, things can get bad. Some cases begin with a simple drug charge. Even with a veterans pleading guilty, it impacts the chance of being a naturalized citizen.
What to do if you are facing deportation?
The first and best things people tell others – immediately get some Legal Help. This is when someone here needs qualified and trustworthy representation, in immigration court proceedings.
Advocacy groups like Common Defense and the ACLU offer that kind of guidance for deportees. The main content of their assistance is providing legal and moral support. The groups also focus on Parris’ situation for potential remedies.
In a recent situation, a couple returning from Jamaica had a challenge. Customs personnel initially allowed Parris, who served our country, to enter, but then, ICE agentspicked him up at the Miami Airport. It all started after his conviction and a nonviolent felony.
Conclusion
There are real life and significant impacts to consider as cases involving veterans facing deportation go through these steps. As we support change it benefits not only our non-citizen heroes and communities that rely on our Veterans for continued Service, as Volunteer Leaders.
Addressing a call to change can lead our policy reform forward, while remembering and thinking that those here legally and whom defended all of us through various dangerous roles can stay where their Families call “home” and to stay on the U.S. soil – that seems like the right thing to do. Those stories serve to guide a path towards solutions as we grow, advance. Many seek justice.
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