Deported US Military Veterans Commemorate Memorial Day In Mexico

[skews13]

Deported U.S. military veterans commemorating Memorial Day, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

You may have seen the viral photo: a group of deported veterans “who served in U.S. Army with the promise of becoming citizens” commemorating Memorial Day in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Yes, our nation deports veterans, and it’s been a stain on both Democratic and Republican administrations alike, with NBC News estimating that some 230 veterans have been kicked out after serving their country.

Some of these vets have been relentless in lobbying U.S. elected leaders for justice, recently drawing the attention of Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-TX) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who this week plan to visit them at the "Bunker,” a support house for deported vets in Mexico:

"Many of us believe that they should be allowed to become citizens," Castro told NBC Latino in a telephone interview Friday.

"Many, if not most, were legal permanent residents, who were eligible to become citizens and perhaps never applied - they stood up for their country and put their lives on the line," he said.

Castro acknowledged that getting laws changed to stop the deportation of veterans who are legal residents would be tougher under a Trump administration. But Castro said he thinks "there is strong bipartisan support among Americans to do right by these veterans."

"We would ask the administration to consider the service these veterans have rendered for the country and the fact they did put their lives on the line," he said.

Reasons for deportation can vary, and highlight our outdated and broken immigration system. “Legal permanent residents can be deported if they commit certain crimes, including ones that occurred many years in their past,” notes NBC News. Other veterans just assumed that enlisting and serving in the military meant an automatic path to citizenship.

Last year, NPR covered the story of one undocumented immigrant who produced a fake birth certificate in order to enlist during the Iraq War. Daniel Torres was deployed to Fallujah and was readying for a tour in Afghanistan when he lost his wallet. “When he tried to get his ID replaced, his story came apart,” said NPR. He was deported:

Naturalization used to be part of basic training, but the laws changed, [Margaret Stock, a former Army lieutenant colonel and an immigration lawyer] says. As a result, lots of green card holders went to Iraq and Afghanistan without becoming citizens.

She says the Obama administration has been aggressive about deporting immigrants who commit crimes, including veterans, though no one knows an exact number. It's rare enough that even Marine Daniel Torres says he'd never heard of it.

"When I got to Tijuana, I thought my case was unique. It wasn't until I found this place that I realized it was a bigger issue," Torres says.

According to NBC News, nearly 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military, with another 12,000 in the Reserves. “From the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, immigrants have made significant contributions to the United States by serving in our military forces,” states the Immigration Policy Center, with more than 53,000 immigrants becoming U.S. citizens through serving in the military as of 2009.

At least 119 immigrants posthumously earned their citizenship after dying in combat, including Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, a formerly undocumented immigrant who was among the first Americans to die in Iraq.

Despite multiple Vietnam War deferments due to dubious medical claims and a history of insulting remarks directed at the family of fallen soldier Humayun Khan, Sen. John McCain, and veterans with PTSD, Donald Trump promoted himself as the pro-military candidate. Here’s his chance to put his money where his mouth is and help some vets who deserve a second chance after serving this country. But then again, they are immigrants.



Deported U.S. military veterans commemorate Memorial Day in Mexico

 

[ScienceRocks]

Disgraceful

Fucking disgusting.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Disgraceful

Fucking disgusting.

I told you to stay away from mirrors.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Deported U.S. military veterans commemorating Memorial Day, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

You may have seen the viral photo: a group of deported veterans “who served in U.S. Army with the promise of becoming citizens” commemorating Memorial Day in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Yes, our nation deports veterans, and it’s been a stain on both Democratic and Republican administrations alike, with NBC News estimating that some 230 veterans have been kicked out after serving their country.

Some of these vets have been relentless in lobbying U.S. elected leaders for justice, recently drawing the attention of Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-TX) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who this week plan to visit them at the "Bunker,” a support house for deported vets in Mexico:

"Many of us believe that they should be allowed to become citizens," Castro told NBC Latino in a telephone interview Friday.

"Many, if not most, were legal permanent residents, who were eligible to become citizens and perhaps never applied - they stood up for their country and put their lives on the line," he said.

Castro acknowledged that getting laws changed to stop the deportation of veterans who are legal residents would be tougher under a Trump administration. But Castro said he thinks "there is strong bipartisan support among Americans to do right by these veterans."

"We would ask the administration to consider the service these veterans have rendered for the country and the fact they did put their lives on the line," he said.

Reasons for deportation can vary, and highlight our outdated and broken immigration system. “Legal permanent residents can be deported if they commit certain crimes, including ones that occurred many years in their past,” notes NBC News. Other veterans just assumed that enlisting and serving in the military meant an automatic path to citizenship.

Last year, NPR covered the story of one undocumented immigrant who produced a fake birth certificate in order to enlist during the Iraq War. Daniel Torres was deployed to Fallujah and was readying for a tour in Afghanistan when he lost his wallet. “When he tried to get his ID replaced, his story came apart,” said NPR. He was deported:

Naturalization used to be part of basic training, but the laws changed, [Margaret Stock, a former Army lieutenant colonel and an immigration lawyer] says. As a result, lots of green card holders went to Iraq and Afghanistan without becoming citizens.

She says the Obama administration has been aggressive about deporting immigrants who commit crimes, including veterans, though no one knows an exact number. It's rare enough that even Marine Daniel Torres says he'd never heard of it.

"When I got to Tijuana, I thought my case was unique. It wasn't until I found this place that I realized it was a bigger issue," Torres says.

According to NBC News, nearly 11,000 non-citizens currently serve in the U.S. military, with another 12,000 in the Reserves. “From the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, immigrants have made significant contributions to the United States by serving in our military forces,” states the Immigration Policy Center, with more than 53,000 immigrants becoming U.S. citizens through serving in the military as of 2009.

At least 119 immigrants posthumously earned their citizenship after dying in combat, including Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, a formerly undocumented immigrant who was among the first Americans to die in Iraq.

Despite multiple Vietnam War deferments due to dubious medical claims and a history of insulting remarks directed at the family of fallen soldier Humayun Khan, Sen. John McCain, and veterans with PTSD, Donald Trump promoted himself as the pro-military candidate. Here’s his chance to put his money where his mouth is and help some vets who deserve a second chance after serving this country. But then again, they are immigrants.



Deported U.S. military veterans commemorate Memorial Day in Mexico

Notice that it doesn't mention the crimes these veterans committed that got them deported.

 

[ABikerSailor]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

 

[pismoe]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Why were they deported? Being a veteran does not confer sainthood. There are gangs in the military. There are smugglers in the military. There are military members who steal and sell military property.

 

[pismoe]

back in mexico where they and theyre extended families belong , nice picture Skews !!

 

[ABikerSailor]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

I don't care if you like my idea or not. I firmly believe that if you are willing to put your butt on the line in the service of this country, you should be given all the benefits of citizenship. Why? Because less than 1 percent of this country is even interested in serving. It's much easier to pay lip service to the military by saying you support them than actually enlisting. By the way Pismoe, how many years did YOU serve? I'd be willing to bet you were part of the 70 percent of the country that isn't qualified to serve.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

I agree as long as they are not illegal aliens who sneaked into the US.

 

[ScienceRocks]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

So if you serve this country you shouldn't be given citizenship? You don't like anything that helps hispanic people.

 

[Rustic]

An illegal alien is an illegal alien... they knew that going into it

 

[ABikerSailor]

Why were they deported? Being a veteran does not confer sainthood. There are gangs in the military. There are smugglers in the military. There are military members who steal and sell military property.

And, all those people, when caught, generally end up serving time or getting out with a Bad Conduct or Dishonorable discharge. And, yeah, you're right, just because a person is a veteran doesn't mean they are saints, but I'm willing to say from experience, that people in the military are generally a cut above people who never served. Why? Because people in the military understand teamwork and watching out for your fellow soldier's back, because they watch out for yours. Most civilians don't understand that concept I've found, because everywhere I worked at in civilian life it was a dog eat dog situation. In the military, yeah, there is competition, but there is also a whole lot of cooperation.

As far as gangs in the military? I heard about them existing prior to the 80's onboard ships (the 70's were a hard time for the Navy), but I enlisted in '82 and retired in 2002, and never saw any gang activity in any of the commands I served in.

And, if these veterans were deported for misdemeanors only, I say that is wrong. If they committed a felony, that would be a different story, because I view people who commit felonies the same way I would view those who get out with less than honorable discharges.................I don't trust them much. But, you DID see where I said in my OP that if a person served a full term and was Honorably discharged, they should get citizenship. Why? Because they served this country and didn't get into trouble, which is why they got an Honorable discharge.

 

[pismoe]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

I don't care if you like my idea or not. I firmly believe that if you are willing to put your butt on the line in the service of this country, you should be given all the benefits of citizenship. Why? Because less than 1 percent of this country is even interested in serving. It's much easier to pay lip service to the military by saying you support them than actually enlisting. By the way Pismoe, how many years did YOU serve? I'd be willing to bet you were part of the 70 percent of the country that isn't qualified to serve.

-------------------------------------------------------------- feck your idea Senor . Let these guys and their extended third world democrat voting families build or rebuild 'mexico' Senor BSailor .

 

[ABikerSailor]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

I agree as long as they are not illegal aliens who sneaked into the US.

You know, if they are kids who are DREAM program eligible, and they serve a full term, that shows they love this country and are willing to do anything to defend it. After a 4 year term, served honorably, they should get full citizenship.

Even if their parents did drag them here when they where just children.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

I agree as long as they are not illegal aliens who sneaked into the US.

You know, if they are kids who are DREAM program eligible, and they serve a full term, that shows they love this country and are willing to do anything to defend it. After a 4 year term, served honorably, they should get full citizenship.

Even if their parents did drag them here when they where just children.

We agree!

 

[ABikerSailor]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

I don't care if you like my idea or not. I firmly believe that if you are willing to put your butt on the line in the service of this country, you should be given all the benefits of citizenship. Why? Because less than 1 percent of this country is even interested in serving. It's much easier to pay lip service to the military by saying you support them than actually enlisting. By the way Pismoe, how many years did YOU serve? I'd be willing to bet you were part of the 70 percent of the country that isn't qualified to serve.

-------------------------------------------------------------- feck your idea Senor . Let these guys and their extended third world democrat voting families build or rebuild 'mexico' Senor BSailor .

So, you have never served I take it. If you had, you would see the benefit of this.

What are the benefits? Well, in order to serve in the military, they have to be decent English speakers (military only speaks English for official stuff), as well as have to learn the laws of this country and the military. And, being part of the government gives them a good idea of how our politics works.

All of those are beneficial towards being a citizen of this country.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

From the OP's article:

"NPR covered the story of one undocumented immigrant who produced a fake birth certificate in order to enlist during the Iraq War. Daniel Torres was deployed to Fallujah and was readying for a tour in Afghanistan when he lost his wallet. “When he tried to get his ID replaced, his story came apart,” said NPR. He was deported."

As he should be. There's a problem here?

 

[pismoe]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

So if you serve this country you shouldn't be given citizenship? You don't like anything that helps hispanic people.

--------------------------------------------------------------- nothing to do with hispanics . If these guys served as mercenaries they were paid after their service probably on a Friday . If these guys served and then disqualifies themselves from citizenship i say GOOD . Course , as i said , nothing to do with 'hispanics' Matthew .

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

You know, my personal opinion is that if you serve a full four year term in the service of this country, be it Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy or Coast Guard, if you serve a 4 year term and are honorably discharged, you should get full citizenship for both yourself and your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, wife, child).

Why? Because less than ONE PERCENT of this country is interested in serving, and if a person is willing to defend this country, they should be allowed to live here and be a citizen.

Interestingly enough, I heard on the news the other night (don't know if it's true, sounds a bit off), but they said that only 30 percent of the people who are old enough to serve in the military are even qualified. They said that 70 percent of this country is unqualified due to physical or mental reasons, or they are disqualified because of criminal convictions or they can't score high enough on the ASVAB.

If you are qualified to serve, and are willing to do so for a full term, you should be allowed citizenship after honorably serving your first term.

And I say this as a 20 year U.S. Navy retired veteran.

---------------------------------------------- i don't like your idea Senor BSailor !!

I don't care if you like my idea or not. I firmly believe that if you are willing to put your butt on the line in the service of this country, you should be given all the benefits of citizenship. Why? Because less than 1 percent of this country is even interested in serving. It's much easier to pay lip service to the military by saying you support them than actually enlisting. By the way Pismoe, how many years did YOU serve? I'd be willing to bet you were part of the 70 percent of the country that isn't qualified to serve.

Cut welfare. Continue to offer the same military benefits.

Watch how fast those units fill up.