ARMY VETERAN FACES POSSIBLE DEPORTATION TO MEXICO

[jpak]

Source: KTRK-TV

CHICAGO -- A deportation hearing was held Monday for an Army veteran who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and may now be deported to Mexico.

Army Private 1st class Miguel Perez, Jr., who was born in Mexico and grew up in Chicago, told an immigration judge that loves the U.S. and gets chills when he hears the Star Spangled banner.

After the 2.5-hour hearing in Chicago, the judge said she would give a written decision in a few weeks.

Perez, 38, was a legal permanent resident when he joined the Army and said he thought he became a legal U.S. citizen when he enlisted. However, that was not the case.

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Read more: http://abc13.com/news/army-veteran-faces-possible-deportation-to-mexico/1785723/

[Tiggeroshii]

1. This has actually been the standard operating procedure for a few years now

Many legal immigrants -also veterans, have lost their resident status and been deported due to their criminal record.

[napi21]

3. he thought he became a legal U.S. citizen when he enlisted. However, that was not the case. MAYBE

IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY! IMO, anyone who sacrifices so much to serve in Afghanistan has earned citizenship!

That Judge doesn't have the authority to do that, but our Congress does.

If the US is going to take advantage of someone to fight a war (and possibly die!) then they should be willing to offer thst person at minimum, citizenship for their risks & efforts.

[cstanleytech]

4. "MAYBE IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY!" Unfortunately currently its not, hopefully the government will

permit him to remain though while he applies for citizenship.

[alfredo]

10. All they see is a Mexican

[yuiyoshida]

24. bascially...

he's not white, he's different, kick him out!

That's some Fucking Racist bullshit right there!

[alfredo]

25. What a difference an election makes.

[Baconator]

36. The problem is two fold...

1) Whatever thought process led him to think he was already a citizen. I don't know if I buy that but we'll take him at his word. Either way, that ship has sailed.

2) Not much chance for someone convicted of a drug felony to gain citizenship.

[marybourg]

5. Veterans used to be able to get

citizenship on a priority basis after serving. At the very least, non-citizens should be advised when enlisting that this is no longer the case. It seems shameful to me that we would accept his service and then deport him, drug offense notwithstanding.

[cpamomfromtexas]

30. You would be surprised how vets get screwed when they get out

Took my colonel husband three months of double checking everything to make sure he got all his paperwork done so he wouldn't get screwed out of the gi bill

I can't imagine how difficult it must be for the enlisted folks

[marybourg]

32. and add to that, not having been born here

and not having documents. But no, I wouldn't be surprised; I listen to NPR and I have a WWII veteran husband.

[James48]

38. They still do-

BUT they have to apply for citizenship either WHILE SERVING- or within 6 months of discharge, in order to get expedited processing for citizenship.

It's not automatic- you have to apply to become a U.S. Citizen.

Military service allows you to waive many of the other requirements on waiting, in peacetime you only have to have a YEAR in uniform to apply, and during war time (and current operations) they are allowing people to become naturalized while in Basic Training.

BUT- they have to apply.

https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/naturalization-through-military-service-fact-sheet

[marybourg]

40. You would think that some organization would counsel

them on those requirements. But it looks like the person has to be savvy enough to initiate contact her/himself with the person who can help:

Every military installation has a designated point-of-contact, generally in the personnel division or the Judge Advocate General’s Office, to assist members of the military prepare and file their naturalization application packet.

Some immigrant or veteran's group(s) should make pre-counseling part of their mission.. Maybe this news article will spur that.

[UpInArms]

6. oh dear god

this has got to stop

[iluvtennis]

23. Agree + 10000 %

[Wellstone ruled]

7. There are Thousands of

Hispanic and other Immigrants that enlisted in the Military with the promise of full Citizenship at the end of their enlistment. Another can of worms opened,watch for major exploitation by the Rethugs.

[Judi Lynn]

17. Thanks for mentioning it. I was sure I'd heard it was offered during George W.'s occupation.

It seemed the least they could do if they hoped to use immigrant young men to fight their bloody wars and very easily not make it home at all.

[metalbot]

31. Yes

But I'm pretty sure that one of the conditions for citizenship is "don't get kicked out of the Army early for failing a drug test", and "don't go to prison for selling a large quantity of cocaine to an undercover officer".

[bora13]

8. hunter

I think we should all be prepared for more judges to throw the book at
anyone who ends up before them in a court of law.

Not unlike the following quote from "Where the Buffalo Roam":

"Will the defendant please rise?
Any person who transports into this state,
sells, furnishes or gives away any marijuana
- shall be punished...
- What's he doing?
- He's reading the fucking law.
- ... five years to life...
I think you guys should listen.
His honour is reading the sentence."

[McCamy Taylor]

9. This is so messed up.

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Maybe Putin can get him a job with the Russian mob so Trump will let him stay in the US.

I think someone should start a petition and send it to Moscow.

[TeamPooka]

12. Just another "bad hombre" according to Trump

[red dog 1]

13. Unfuckingbelievable!

Too bad Twitler doesn't have the courage to write a tweet about this!

[ProudLib72]

14. A Mexican with a gun?!!!

Deport his ass!

[Archae]

15. What bothers me about this entire story...

It is only barely mentioned, the guy has a conviction for felony drugs.

No details, like what exactly he was convicted of.

[Hangingon]

39. That makes a big difference. Without the conviction, a congressman could get his citizenship.

[yeoman6987]

16. Ouch. The comments are nasty

These folks act like citizens never committed a felony before. So what that he did. He served the prison sentence.

[DK504]

18. He did 2 tours in Afghanistan

he came back and probably got zero help from the VA since they have a 2 year waiting for our guys to get an appointment. And he turned to drugs, paid his debt, but still had legal status, so why is he suddenly getting kicked out?

Did his legal status go away because of his conviction?

[George II]

22. His legal status probably went away when fucknuts was "elected" on November 8.

[Lithos]

19. Interesting

I too thought you could expedite citizenship by serving in the Military... And I know I've heard this had been the case not too long ago, wonder if it is changed, or had to be specified in a way which is not easily understood.

L-

[dhill926]

20. "thanks for your service....

now get the fuck outta here..." christ almighty what a country....

[George II]

21. This guy does two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has one felony drug arrest, and gets deported?

On the other hand the guy that established that policy dodged the draft (four or five deferments), has admitted to sexual crimes, had several bankruptcies, and he gets to stay?

[alfredo]

26. And possibly committed treason.

[leanforward]

27. To me, the gentleman stays in country

The Vet has seen some crap. To me, it does not matter what he has done after his time in service. He STAYs.

I read the explanation. Who gives a s . . . Now, Mr Perez stays.

I am a loyal citizen, in opposition to pRezident dRumpf and any GOP lemming.

He served, he stays. dRumpf leaves me speechless or wordless after some of the stuff he has instigated. Instigated at the behest of bannon, a former navy ossifer. One guy a draft dodger, the other a bastard, self made.

I hope I have not offended anyone.

[Scruffy1]

28. Certainly not me.

This is the rankest BS. Drug charges are all BS in my opinion. They hardly ever apply to the wealthy. Besides which substance abuse is a public health problem, not a criminal one. When I see 45 hiding behind the flag I want to puke.

[Igel]

29. He can apply.

But it's not guaranteed. There are still requirements he'd have to meet.

Bush II made service members subject to expedited citizenship. No word on whether it's been revoked since Trump took office.

Too much fake information "out there" to keep track of it all. But he fell for some fake info.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

33. K&R

[Bayard]

34. They can't deport someone who is a Permanent Resident

At least not legally. Its pretty much the same as being a citizen. What say you lawyers?

[Baconator]

35. Permanent residents can lose their status if they commit certain crimes considered aggravated.

Rape, murder and some others.

Was just listening to a podcast about another case. 20 year old guy who was born in Mexico received a felony abuse of a minor conviction from California for having consensual sex with a 16 year old. Minimum age in CA is 18.

That's technically one of the crimes listed that can lead to deportation. Court just heard the case that since California is an outlier that it doesn't meet the intent of the law.

Amicus podcast. Good stuff...

[Quackers]

37. Check this out

http://deportedveteranssupporthouse.org

[Kimchijeon]

41. this is shameful.

He should have earned citizenship when enlisting. He served two tours of duty!