Should green card vets be deported for minor offenses after Honorable Discharge?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 11:53:31 -0400

Honorably discharged from the military, but was later charged with a deportable offense — for example, drug possession, discharge of a firearm or perjury. In some cases, the veterans say, their offenses were triggered by the post-traumatic stress they developed after serving in combat. Most have spent the vast majority of their lives in the United States and are now starting over in a country they barely know.

Deported Vets: Life in‘the bunker’

A support house for deported veterans in Tijuana gives former service members a place to call home

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 1:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 13:49:48 -0400

In one fell swoop they could just bring these guys back, but seems like they were written off as a bad piece of history. The veterans court system was only developed within the 6 years or so, there was nothing in place to assist them with legal trouble. Yes, they did commit crimes, some paid their time and fines and in some cases over a missed traffic ticket, they got deported over inconsistent deportation policies.

“One thing America has always done is revere its veterans,” he said. “To say to them, ‘You swore to support and defend the Constitution and put your life on the line for the rest of us. But you’re not a citizen. So, too bad. You’re gone.’ I just think that’s not us." - Retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers

Things happen, we all make mistakes, I get it, but to forget the fellow brothers & sisters is appalling. I'm not asking for anyone to agree or disagree, just me venting right now, woke up with a real attitude and have little if any patience right now.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 12:18 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 12:18:19 -0500

I feel like anyone who serves a full tour with an honorable discharge should automatically be given citizenship.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Mar 28 at 2015 5:29 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 17:29:09 -0400

This question is simple to answer: If anyone is treated better, if anyone else who is not a citizen can stay or enter America illegally and stay (you know what I'm saying here), then these guys should be allowed as well. PERIOD.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Mar 29 at 2015 11:10 AM

SPC Angel Guma — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 11:10:41 -0400

Just as the captain said earlier,

These guys earned their keep. Why they aren't getting citizenship is a travesty, and this is no way to treat veterans. Just because they are hispanic doesn't change that, they put their time in. They EARNED it. Its not like some piece of candy people born here feel they are entitled too- the rich snobs that feel they above and beyond are just entitled to be treated like 'real Americans', without having put in one iota of sacrifice. There's a huge difference here. And there's a huge difference between them and the illegals that come here without giving a damn about learning english or adapting. So on all accounts, I think they've done us all a hell of a service. Lock them way in a jail for possession, fine them, ticket them, but to deport them? They wouldn't dream of deporting some kid for illegal possession in some upscale place like Harvard Hill, but possession is STILL possession, would they dream of deporting those kids back to England or Germany, Poland or some other place where the older generation also came here illegally? Nah- they are given the benefit of the doubt on their loyalty and patriotism, without having sworn an oath!

The only time deporting these guys should be an option is if they were willfully acting against national security, or when there is a case they were, like Bergdahl, but even then he's given a full trial and legal due process. If they can give Bergdahl due process, give these guys the same.

Response by SFC William Adamek made Aug 11 at 2016 2:02 PM

SFC William Adamek — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:02:16 -0400

I would ask why they didn't apply for their citizenship. They have special considerations while on active duty and for being a veteran to encourage them to apply for citizenship. We also have a rule in place that if you do not become a citizen prior to the completion of 8 years of military service that you must be discharged.

I would love to see this 8 year rule be taken into the Civilian sector and any green card holder that doesn't become a citizen within 8 years should be sent packing. I was married to a British citizen who has now been in the country for over 35 years and has no plan on becoming a US Citizen. You wouldn't believe how many are in this country just like her with no plans of ever becoming a citizen.