PHOENIX (AP) — Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, U.S. Army veteran Sae Joon Park carries a haunting reminder from an immigration official: If Donald Trump wins, his chances of deportation soar. Park, who arrived in the U.S. from Seoul at age 7, served in the Army and earned a Purple Heart but has faced a daunting road since. After a drug-related arrest in 2009, Park was ordered deported but was able to stay under a deferred action status reserved for veterans. However, that status evaporated earlier this year when he learned of a removal order during a routine check-in. Faced with potential detention, he opted to self-deport. “They let me serve this country, take bullets for it. That should mean something,” he expressed, lamenting the treatment of veterans like himself.
The plight of Park represents a larger issue impacting many veterans. Trump's administration previously pushed to limit pathways for immigrant service members to gain citizenship, igniting fears that these individuals—and their families—face heightened vulnerability as Trump's policies seem poised for revival. Experts highlight that such policies jeopardize military recruitment and national security, particularly as they fail to protect veterans and their families.
This issue isn't just limited to veterans; noncitizen soldiers and their relatives have increasingly found themselves in detention under these stringent measures.
The shift in policies under the current administration, wherein prior military service was considered a mitigating factor in deportation cases, has also faced skepticism and reversal under new guidelines. As deportations resume, veterans like Park and others must navigate their uncertain futures, often considering self-deportation or confronting detention. Activists and lawmakers are calling for protective measures, with some legislative proposals attempting to offer relief for those affected. As the situation unfolds, veterans are left grappling with the very nation they defended.
The plight of Park represents a larger issue impacting many veterans. Trump's administration previously pushed to limit pathways for immigrant service members to gain citizenship, igniting fears that these individuals—and their families—face heightened vulnerability as Trump's policies seem poised for revival. Experts highlight that such policies jeopardize military recruitment and national security, particularly as they fail to protect veterans and their families.
This issue isn't just limited to veterans; noncitizen soldiers and their relatives have increasingly found themselves in detention under these stringent measures.
The shift in policies under the current administration, wherein prior military service was considered a mitigating factor in deportation cases, has also faced skepticism and reversal under new guidelines. As deportations resume, veterans like Park and others must navigate their uncertain futures, often considering self-deportation or confronting detention. Activists and lawmakers are calling for protective measures, with some legislative proposals attempting to offer relief for those affected. As the situation unfolds, veterans are left grappling with the very nation they defended.
