Non-citizen veterans facing deportation despite service to U.S.

[AlphaCentauri]

Non-citizen veterans of Vietnam, both Gulf wars and Afghanistan are being “quietly” deported despite U.S. military promises of citizenship in exchange for fighting for the United States.

Reportedly there are over 3,000 veterans currently incarcerated and under threat of deportation nation wide.

Veterans’ rights activist Jan Ruhman wrote last year on the blog Vetspeak.org:

“American Military veterans who have served our nation in times of war and peace have quietly been deported since 1996 when the Immigration Reform Act (IRA) was passed by the Republican Controlled Congress and “broadly” redefined Aggravated Felony (AG) and took away certain applications for relief. This simple change in the definition of AG in the law has directly affected tens of thousands of veterans who served their nation. Quite simply, they are facing forced deportation or have in fact already been “quietly” and unceremoniously deported over the past 13 years.

“A trail of lies has been uncovered at point of recruitment and in boot camps. Statements concerning U. S. Citizenship being “automatic” were related by many veterans we interviewed. Other veterans, who were more educated, knew different and applied while in the military but then deployed to a combat zone and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) didn’t have their application follow them. Many, who knew they had to apply, simply found that (as is the case with many veterans upon discharge, especially those suffering from PTSD), navigating the “system” is not psychologically or emotionally possible, for them.


http://www.seattlepostglobe.org/2010/01/15/non-citizen-veterans-facing-deportation-despite-service-to-us

[SoCalDem]

1. never believe anything the government/military tells you

The military used to sell career service by offering LIFETIME medical care for the vet and his/her spouse.. That went away ..

Many of the signing bonuses never pan out, and vets all over seem to be having issues with the "we'll pay for college" plan..

Naturalization ceremony should be part of the boot camp graduation ceremony.

[Obamanaut]

4. Regarding LIFETIME medical care. There was a change in this many

years ago such that when the member became 65, that member was no longer treated at military health care facilities, but was placed on medicare rolls.

This caused a disturbance, and was modified so that now the member is added to medicare rolls at 65, with 'tricare for life' as a supplement, at no cost to the member.

The pharmacy plan for this combo is relatively inexpensive. No cost to the member for the plan, with inexpensive Rx, which can be delivered via USPS.

This program combo seems to be working - I just had surgery and had no out-of-pocket expense at all.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. For shame, for shame!

[unhappycamper]

3. It's just another way to 'save' money.

Look how long it took Agent Orange to clear the pipeline. Depleted uranium will be quicker than AO but we need more submarines, aircraft carriers, F-35s, LCSes, C-17s, etc.etc.

Hence the urge to deport.

[aikoaiko]

5. If the deal is that you can't be convicted of a felony as your paperworked is processed,

then I'm not sure what the problem is. Is it the case that people are being deported even after citizenship is granted? Now that would be unfair.

The article says aggravated felony was redefined but it doesn't really give any details to judge the fairness of that.