Washington, DC – Today, following reports that the Trump administration is moving to deport who served in our Armed Forces, Rep. (D-AZ) reintroduced legislation that would prevent the removal of service members and veterans. The Restoring Respect for Service in Uniform Act would also help deported veterans to reunite with their families in the United States.
Specifically, the bill limits the current grounds of deportability to prevent the removal of a service member or veteran who has served at least 6 months in the military and who has not committed a serious crime. It would also affirm the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to use his powers under current law to readmit veterans into the United States who have been deported and who have not committed a serious crime.
“President Trump’s anti- bigotry knows no bounds,” said Rep. . “Under his administration, who have put their lives on the line for our freedom are now facing deportation. That’s outrageous and unacceptable and should deeply trouble every American – Republican or Democrat. Congress must act before brave veterans are separated from their families and expelled from the country they love and have fought to defend.”
Read this original document here.
I am a veteran and if a immigrant commits a crime who is to say if it is serious. And why didn’t they try to become citizen while in or right after they got out
Veteran Allen, your level of ignorance is understandable. Immigration process takes years (1-5 years or more) depending on what type of status you apply for. If you dont know what a serious crime is, you live in lala land. Its not the same a murder crime, rape, drugs then criminal mischief or a misdemeanor. Also all immigrants, legal or illegal, have to register in Selective Services .If an illegal immigrant doesnt register to Selective Services, he faces deportation. So must immigrants are willing to defend this country. I can also name a few Veterans who commited serious crimes like David Berkowitz 1977, Gary Ridway late 1990’s, Jeffrey Dahmer, 1978, Timothy Mc Veigh 1991 ( Oklahoma Bomber), Dennis Rader, 1990, etc….
Yes until recently many believed citizenship was automatic. it’s really a shame that more hasn’t been done to bring justice to these deported veterans. Military Families Speak Out and the local chapter of Veterans for Peace Ch. 110 is planning on a letter writing campaign to promote this bill. Can someone suggest to whom we can target to send this letters so we can help get this important bill passed?
Pat Alviso
mfsooc@earthlink.net
Allen, I understand your point of view. But after talking to a lot of friends who have immigrated, there are some cases of them coming with a work visa saving up money for their application for citizenship and then the lawyers who they hire to file with disappear with their money. Scams on immigrants are prevalent, and the inconsistent and long wait times can screw many of them over. Military Service as an immigrant should automatically grant citizenship upon completion of duty, period. The fact that it doesn’t is a major failing on our country. Also the entire process needs revised and made so people are needing to hire lawyers and rely on third parties to help with their application.
All of this, in my opinion, still boils down to the individuals in question having completed the required military service time appropriately and having properly filed all necessary forms for consideration. As in all things government, there are no guarantees that folks won’t hit snags which will need working out. But, if one wants citizenship for sure, then one will do all in their power to acquire it. If deportation seems imminent, the individual(s) affected have recourse to government agencies to assist them. This sounds to me more like an attempt to provide some sort of blanket amnesty for those who were, or are being, deported due to a lack of citizenship. Anyone with any kind of applications outstanding, or in process, can pretty easily use that to avoid deportation. So, why do so many, as is stated here, need a form of amnesty?