"No Soldier Left Behind? The Hypocrisy of Deporting Our Veterans"

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Written by Santiago D.C. Maria

"© 2025 Santiago D.C. Maria. All Rights Reserved."

 

For decades, the United States has proudly proclaimed the mantra: "No soldier left behind." This principle underscores a commitment to honor and protect those who have served in the military. Yet, in practice, this promise has been broken repeatedly, as immigrant veterans—individuals who have risked their lives for this nation—face deportation due to legal technicalities and systemic failures.

The Unseen Casualties of Immigration Policy

Many immigrant veterans, despite their service, have been deported for offenses that often stem from service-related trauma. The 1996 immigration laws expanded the list of deportable offenses, including minor infractions, and removed judges' discretion to consider military service during deportation proceedings. This has led to situations where veterans are punished twice: once by the criminal justice system and again by immigration enforcement.

Systemic Failures and Broken Promises

The naturalization process for non-citizen service members is fraught with bureaucratic hurdles. Despite executive orders intended to streamline citizenship for active-duty personnel, many veterans remain non-citizens due to administrative oversights. This systemic failure has left countless veterans vulnerable to deportation, stripping them of the very rights they fought to protect.

The treatment of immigrant veterans is a national disgrace that demands immediate attention. We must hold our government accountable and advocate for policies that honor the sacrifices of all service members, regardless of their birthplace.

Ways to Protest and Advocate:

1. Contact Your Representatives: Urge them to support legislation that protects immigrant veterans from deportation.

2. Raise Awareness: Share stories and information on social media to inform others about this issue.

3. Support Veteran Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups that assist deported veterans.

4. Participate in Peaceful Protests: Join demonstrations that advocate for immigrant rights and veteran protections.

5. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about immigration policies and their impact on veterans.

#VeteransRights #ImmigrationJustice #NoSoldierLeftBehind #SupportOurTroops #EndDeportations