Veterans Deported by Government. So much for their service

[SargeUNN]

I am very concerned about those who have served in the U.S. military, and now have been deported for infractions.

My friend, Hector, is one of these veterans who have been deported. Many soldiers, like Hector were promised a path to citizenship if they joined the military.

I can not tell you in a few sentences what you need to know about the plight of these banished veterans.

For more information, I ask you to please check out the website:

www.banishedveterans.info
Movie to watch on this subject http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lost-souls

[Jkid]

1. K and R

[midnight]

2. I had no idea. I know that our vets are expected to go without the benefits they

were promised when they get home, sick, etc....

[yellerpup]

3. Greatest page for you.

:kick:

[katandmoon]

4. Unfortunately, it sounds like Hector blew his chance by getting in trouble with the law.

If that's incorrect, please enlighten me. The write-up about Hector certainly was vague about why he served time.

[SargeUNN]

5. Hector's Story

You can hear more of Hector's story at http://thedavidlinkshow.com and hear from someone who Hector served under. David was his NCO and friend who informed me of the story. Hector told David he got in with a bad crowd and got picked up on a minor violation. The fact that his deportation was YEARS after he had honorably finished his service and his citizenship NEVER granted is the focus here. He was actually held 2 extra weeks after his sentence was served as they looked to deport him, but since he was not granted the citizenship he was suppose to get they held him and then deported him. If I got in trouble over a minor offense and several my jail time should I lose my veterans benefits? If so I know many veterans who would lose their status.

[katandmoon]

6. Not going to listen to the link. Just tell us what the minor violation was.

Also, was not getting in trouble with the law one of of the conditions for Hector's citizenship?

Was he told when he enlisted how long it would take for his citizenship to be granted?

[SargeUNN]

7. I talked to Hector on the phone just now

I will have him on my show Saturday and let you hear it yourself if you are willing to take time out from your busy schedule to hear the story since you can't go to the link. I certainly appreciate your interest in our veterans plight. If you can't listen and refuse to go the link then that pretty much tells all the interest you have. I hope others are more concerned than that because as a Veteran of 2 branches of the military, I can assure you ANY veteran deserves to be a citizen at the least.

[Zywiec]

8. Wow, he must have done something serious if no one will simply say what it was n/t

[SargeUNN]

9. WTF

Ok you want to know here is a capsule report but the real issue is that VETERANS are being deported and WE can only ask what crime? Let these veterans serve their time but they should be citizens not deported. Here is the story in brief, please listen to the show Saturday and call in if you want more details since this topic really is meant to be about how VETERANS are being treated after serving honorably.

Hector has been in the U.S. since he was 4 or 5 and a son of legal immigrants to the U.S. Hector grew up in Compton in a very rough area where gangs were and are rampant. Hector joined the U.S. Military and served honorably for 6 years and was suppose to be given his citizenship but found out that after his discharge he wasn't going to get it any faster than one who didn't serve this nation. Hector went back to his community and one day he was riding with friends of his that were gang members. The friends encountered a person they didn't like and since guns are common in that area they resorted to pulling their guns and shooting. Hector didn't shoot but because he was there he was arrested and charged with a gun crime. He would have been able to get the charges set aside before the year 1996 but a law passed that year took that option out of the judge's decision choices and no matter how minor the crime, the veteran can't be given special consideration for his service by the judge.

Now there is the story, how about we look at the big picture because Hector is one of thousands of veterans affected and some are guilty of such hideous crimes as a $700 bad check. As a veteran I have said when I signed up I didn't know it but I accepted a reduction in my citizenship status for serving my country that would be there the rest of my life. I got hurt serving and have watched as my benefits get reduced, saw my injuries recieved batted around for excuses not to pay them and after years finally getting accepted as legit, but then arguing how much it affected me so how much to pay. This after a promise of a percentage I was given upon accepting a medical discharge, but then to this day so many decades later, I still get far less.

Come on folks, think about the veterans and see the big picture please.

[walldude]

11. You know what is hideous? The fact that this man served and then

needed to write a bad check. The way we treat our Veterans is despicable. We send them off with bullshit gear to fight bullshit wars in bullshit places, then we claim to "support the troops" right up until we are done with them and throw them away like so much trash. No combat veteran should ever want for food, shelter, clothing or medical care for the rest of their lives. Period.

[juajen]

10. Quid pro quo. He should have received his citizenship immediately.

I had no idea they were fiddling with these citizenships. Reprehemsible.

[wmbrew0206]

12. Please correct me if I am wrong, but a non-citizen is eligible for citizenship after

their first successfully completed enlistment is up. Normally that is anywhere from two to four years. I believe that once most non-citizen service members hit that mark they almost immediately take the test and can quickly get their citizenship.

From what I have read in this thread, Hector did not apply for citizenship while he was still in the military correct? If it is correct, what was the status of his citizenship application at the time of his arrest?

[SargeUNN]

13. No sadly it isn't true

I thought that too, but talking with Hector and others in his same situation, I find it isn't the case at all. Hector did ask for citizenship when he enlisted for his first time and asked each time he re-enlisted but was given no help. It certainly should be given at the end of the first enlistment period, no excuses since they served honorably, and something I am trying to shine the light on here. Thanks for that very good question.

[wmbrew0206]

14. Clearly this is an issue that is very dear to you, but are you sure about that?

According to the following link, citizenship can be obtained before the 5 year mark and is streamlined.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigrationnaturalizatio/a/milcitizens.htm

I have often found that personal accounts are not a good substitute for a detailed understanding of the process. Please know that I am not questioning your intentions in trying to help a friend and seeing that veterans who have honorably served receive what they have earned.

Could you briefly state how Hector was denied his citizenship? Did he apply while in the military?

Can't watch the link because I am in a library with not headphones. Thanks.

[SargeUNN]

15. Here is the story as I know it

David Link is a show host on our network, http://thejefffariasshow.com and David was the NCO over Hector when he was in the military. David found Hector on Facebook or Skype, and contacted him to find out his plight and I heard his show with Hector as a guest. Lou, my producer filled in last Saturday for David and had Hector on again so I called in and talked to him for the first time. I have talked to him since on the phone and asked questions and he going to send me more things such as the court transcript, names of veterans facing deportment, contact info of others in his same situation. So this is a story that I too am learning more about and hope people will tune it to my show, call and ask Hector questions so everyone can learn as I do. I have found out that there are thousands in this situation and some committed serious offenses while others as minor offenses as a bad check.

Hector told me he did ask about citizenship when he first enlisted and was told he would get it, which he didn't and found out when he got out that nothing was done. He said when he served in the Middle East he was declared a National but when discharged that status didn't follow him although he thought he was in the process of getting citizenship. Concerning the others, I haven't talked with them but plan to do so and will try to cover this on my show whenever possible. Please feel free to contact me by emailing me Sarge @ my website address and I will try to answer through Hector and any veterans he has contact with about that. My website is coffeewithsarge.com. Which I am stating that way to try and avoid spam. I would love to get answers for anyone who wants to learn more and hopefully get involved in this.

I also should state that as a Katrina Survivor and having seen how that worked that it is shocking how the government will make it harder than it would appear to do things and from my investigation so far, this seems to be true here as well.

[SargeUNN]

16. Guess I should also state this

I worked my rear end off for Katrina Survivors to the point my life became subject to being ended since I stepped on some illegal plans to profit from rich people trying to take advantage of poor people. I had to move to Arizona to avoid being killed and thanks to Mike Malloy, Jeff Farias and the wonderful listeners of their shows, I was able to escape. I have tried to do what I can when I see people being done extremely wrong and often found myself in a situation that I would rather have not been in. I have since become somewhat jaded by the experiences and all but decided to stop doing it. This situation I got involved in reluctantly and not sure I wanted to take on since I don't really like putting my life on the line or subjecting myself to the problems such a move creates. I have had people who were suppose to be supporters turn on me, seen people who got bought off turn and lost a lot of faith in the American people and the Progressive community. I decided this issue is too horrible to not get involved in and still believe enough in the progressive community and American people to think maybe they will react to help change this. I might be wrong and fear I am, but I want to believe otherwise. I might not live long and might live for decades, but I hope my faith in our progressive community is well founded.

I hope you will look at this, listen to the stories and investigate, then if you will get active in fixing this wrong. I will do what I can to answer questions, and hope you will look into it as well. I really am anxious about doing this but I guess I will take one more leap of faith in my progressive community to try and help. Thanks to those who will.

[lonestarnot]

17. Why doesn't your post count change when you post?

[SargeUNN]

18. I don't know

That is question that maybe a moderator can answer.