• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Banished US veterans lean on each other south of border

American

American

Trump Grump Whisperer
DP Veteran
Monthly Donator
Joined
Mar 11, 2006
Messages
96,102
Reaction score
33,446
Location
SE Virginia
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Conservative
https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/naturalization-through-military-service-fact-sheet

Banished US veterans lean on each other south of border | Fox News

TIJUANA, Mexico – They served the United States on battlefields from Korea to Iraq, but now they live in the shadow of the nation they once served, deported to Mexico for offenses as minor as getting caught with marijuana.

While many U.S. veterans find adjusting to civilian life difficult, writing a bad check, possessing marijuana or getting into a bar fight are enough to get some veterans banished from the nation they fought to protect. That’s because they were not citizens when they donned the uniform and took up arms for America. Any U.S. obligation to them ended when they got in trouble with the law.

“Some people get out of the military and go back to communities with good support systems and some don’t,” said Hector Barajas, 38, one of several veterans who lives in the Deported Veterans Support House, a modest building in the Otay Centenario neighborhood on the east side of Tijuana. “Many of the men being deported served in Vietnam and didn’t get the treatment that we’re supposed to get.”

Reminders of their service and evidence of their patriotism adorn the walls of the home known as “The Bunker.” Draped in flags, decorated with military memorabilia and photos, the 1,000-square-foot, three-room building is a step up from the cramped apartment Barajas used to share with fellow “banished veterans.” At any given time, there are half a dozen or more men living in the home, just 3 miles from the San Ysidro border crossing.
Click to expand...
I curious why these veterans didn't receive expedited naturalization for there military service under the laws. Seems some them are having troubles, but maybe not enough to deserve deportation.
 
American said:
https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/naturalization-through-military-service-fact-sheet

Banished US veterans lean on each other south of border | Fox News


I curious why these veterans didn't receive expedited naturalization for there military service under the laws. Seems some them are having troubles, but maybe not enough to deserve deportation.
Click to expand...

In most instances, there's more to the story that we're not being told. For instance, the service record of these guys is probably not all that good, and probably not good enough to meet the requirements of the contract they signed in the beginning which laid out the requirements to be granted citizenship at the point of discharge from service.

Many of these guys may have gotten into the same type of trouble while in the military. That alone could have prevented them from being granted citizenship, and caused them to be shown the door by the feds when they broke another law as a civilian.

Citizenship is something that should be cherished by those of us lucky enough to have it, and it should be a goal so lofty that anyone not incredibly deserving should not be given.

Like I said, most of these guys that find themselves in this position made mistakes while on active duty, and maybe even were given a less than honorable discharge.
 
American said:
https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/naturalization-through-military-service-fact-sheet

Banished US veterans lean on each other south of border | Fox News


I curious why these veterans didn't receive expedited naturalization for there military service under the laws. Seems some them are having troubles, but maybe not enough to deserve deportation.
Click to expand...

They still have to apply for that expedited citizenship. Perhaps they didn't. Not that I think a drug conviction should merit deportation.
 
Beaudreaux said:
In most instances, there's more to the story that we're not being told. For instance, the service record of these guys is probably not all that good, and probably not good enough to meet the requirements of the contract they signed in the beginning which laid out the requirements to be granted citizenship at the point of discharge from service.

Many of these guys may have gotten into the same type of trouble while in the military. That alone could have prevented them from being granted citizenship, and caused them to be shown the door by the feds when they broke another law as a civilian.

Citizenship is something that should be cherished by those of us lucky enough to have it, and it should be a goal so lofty that anyone not incredibly deserving should not be given.

Like I said, most of these guys that find themselves in this position made mistakes while on active duty, and maybe even were given a less than honorable discharge.
Click to expand...

I wonder how they compare to those that just sneak over the border and do nothing.
 
I know many that joined the Navy with green cards, and became citizens during their enlistments. We had every available man/woman in my division at one of the ceremonies for a young Mexican born sailor that was assigned to us. It was a pretty special day for him.

In 20 years, I can't think of any that were kicked out, at least at the duty stations I was assigned to anyways.
 
American said:
I wonder how they compare to those that just sneak over the border and do nothing.
Click to expand...

Not sure if this is what you are asking, but here goes:

That they served the US and willing put their body, health, and even their life on the line to protect the 99% of US citizens that do not serve in the military, should give them a major leg up over other foreign nationals that want to, on becoming a US citizen.

I am BIG supporter of anyone becoming a US citizen if they honorably serve in the US military for a certain length of time. Most are issued a Green Card immediately upon taking the oath to become a member of the military. Some it takes a little longer to get one, but I don't know enough about it to know why. In my opinion, that length of time that they serve should be at least two full tours of duty - 8 years. If they are discharged with an Honorable Discharge, have a spotless record in the military, or re-enlist and continue to serve after the time period is up, and still want to become a citizen, they should be sworn in as a US Citizen the VERY MINUTE the time period is up. They took an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution from all enemies and to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over them. If they kept that oath and kept themselves out of trouble while doing so, they have done more than 99% of the rest of the citizens in this country and should be recognized as such by being granted an immediate US Citizenship when their time period is up.

I served with a few of these folks, and the ones I served with put their lives on the line, without asking why, and without a millisecond of hesitation. I was honored to be a witness to one of my best friends for life being sworn in as a US Citizen while deployed.

You want to have an ice cold realization of what being a citizen should mean to us all, watch a guy get sworn in as a US Citizen while serving overseas in a combat zone. One of the most emotional events that I have ever been a witness to in my entire life.

I live everyday trying to live up to the level of loyalty to this country that my friend showed before, during, and after being sworn in as a US Citizen.

My friend got what he deserved, and that was to become a US Citizen. That's why I feel that the guys in the OP story did something to deserve what happened to them. This just seems to me to be another example of what I have as my sig below.

Just my humble opinion. If you asked something different, please let me know and I will try again.
 
Beaudreaux said:
Not sure if this is what you are asking, but here goes:

That they served the US and willing put their body, health, and even their life on the line to protect the 99% of US citizens that do not serve in the military, should give them a major leg up over other foreign nationals that want to, on becoming a US citizen.

I am BIG supporter of anyone becoming a US citizen if they honorably serve in the US military for a certain length of time. Most are issued a Green Card immediately upon taking the oath to become a member of the military. Some it takes a little longer to get one, but I don't know enough about it to know why. In my opinion, that length of time that they serve should be at least two full tours of duty - 8 years. If they are discharged with an Honorable Discharge, have a spotless record in the military, or re-enlist and continue to serve after the time period is up, and still want to become a citizen, they should be sworn in as a US Citizen the VERY MINUTE the time period is up. They took an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution from all enemies and to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over them. If they kept that oath and kept themselves out of trouble while doing so, they have done more than 99% of the rest of the citizens in this country and should be recognized as such by being granted an immediate US Citizenship when their time period is up.

I served with a few of these folks, and the ones I served with put their lives on the line, without asking why, and without a millisecond of hesitation. I was honored to be a witness to one of my best friends for life being sworn in as a US Citizen while deployed.

You want to have an ice cold realization of what being a citizen should mean to us all, watch a guy get sworn in as a US Citizen while serving overseas in a combat zone. One of the most emotional events that I have ever been a witness to in my entire life.

I live everyday trying to live up to the level of loyalty to this country that my friend showed before, during, and after being sworn in as a US Citizen.

My friend got what he deserved, and that was to become a US Citizen. That's why I feel that the guys in the OP story did something to deserve what happened to them. This just seems to me to be another example of what I have as my sig below.

Just my humble opinion. If you asked something different, please let me know and I will try again.
Click to expand...

No you answered it, but the short answer is that they don't compare.
 
American said:
No you answered it, but the short answer is that they don't compare.
Click to expand...

Good, glad I read it correctly. And yes, they do not compare at all from what I've seen.

I just re-read what I posted above, and see that I am still typing so fast that words are being skipped, like "a" and other words that make the sentence make sense. Do you find that sometimes you type right past certain smaller words? I know I'm typing them, at least in my mind. They just don't make it into the sentence. I guess I just don't hit the keys hard enough or my brain makes me think I've typed them when I actually haven't.
 
Last edited:
American said:
https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/naturalization-through-military-service-fact-sheet

Banished US veterans lean on each other south of border | Fox News


I curious why these veterans didn't receive expedited naturalization for there military service under the laws. Seems some them are having troubles, but maybe not enough to deserve deportation.
Click to expand...

How many were criminals trying to start a new life in the US military and fell back into criminal life after the military? Just being in the military does not makea person a good person or a better person deserving of respect and help. These people are not US citizens and if they violate the law of the nation that they supposedly want to be a part of then they deserve to be deported.
 
Bodhisattva said:
How many were criminals trying to start a new life in the US military and fell back into criminal life after the military? Just being in the military does not makea person a good person or a better person deserving of respect and help. These people are not US citizens and if they violate the law of the nation that they supposedly want to be a part of then they deserve to be deported.
Click to expand...

You're guessing.
 
American said:
You're guessing.
Click to expand...

To be fair....he wasn't guessing

There have been quite a few violent Hispanic gang members caught in the military. The Navy Times and a few other news outlets had articles on the issue.

I can dig them up if you are interested.
 
RetiredUSN said:
To be fair....he wasn't guessing

There have been quite a few violent Hispanic gang members caught in the military. The Navy Times and a few other news outlets had articles on the issue.

I can dig them up if you are interested.
Click to expand...

No information was provided about these people, that's the problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom