Any undocumented immigrant is at-risk for deportation, even if you served in the United States military.
Splinter News reports a veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan was deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this past Friday.
39-year-old Chicago native, Miguel Perez Jr., was transported to a deportation center in Illinois and later, across the United States-Mexico border, where he hadn't crossed since he was eight years old with his parents.
Perez struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries as a result of his service.
The deportation occurred after the vet applied for citizenship, where a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated he lacked the "moral character" required to be a citizen. However, that agency apparently doesn't understand that you don't need "moral character" to be a U.S. citizen—just look at our President.
Perez pleaded guilty to a crime in the past. According to ABC 7, he was found guilty of a non-violent drug charge years ago. The charge is related to Perez's lack of insurance and veteran care to treat his medical conditions since he self-medicated with drugs. (And it's true: many veterans smoke weed to cope with trauma.)
But serving eight years in prison wasn't enough for border enforcement, who thought he was better off stranded in a place where he doesn't have any family anymore. However, similar practices—such as being detained without receiving bond hearings—is the new normal under the Trump administration.
