USA has done MANY shameful things but this is a cruel, sadistic betrayal. What do you think? Should USA deport "illegal" veterans?

[DrPepper12]

www.nbcnews.com/.../shameful-america-two-latino-vietnam-veterans-fight-deportation-rcna5140

This article is from 2021 but still relevant today. Approximately 94,000 veterans do not have U. S. citizenship, leaving them vulnerable to deportation if they violate certain laws - even misdemeanors decades ago - regardless of their service record. Many of you may not be aware that non-citizens can serve in the US military and have done so honorably since 1776. Many historians agree that were it not for Polish, Prussian, French and other nationalities fighting in the American Revolution, it's highly unlikely that it would have been successful.
IMHO Clinton, Bush, Obama & Trump should be ashamed of themselves for all time. The film is no longer a available unfortunately. While liberals and conservatives don't agree on much these days, I'd like to think that on this issue they would make common cause. What does this say about us USA Americans?

This is the current bill (that will be expiring in a month with no guarantee of being introduced next Congress) that has had no action (or co-sponsors) since being introduced into committee by a military disabled veteran senator:

www.congress.gov/.../3280

More current article:
www.militarytimes.com/.../

I'm actually beside myself with outrage and disgrace. I emailed my reps last nite.

They are illegals & committed crimes - deport them

IDGAF what they did after discharge - they earned citizenship

It's complicated. Case by case basis.

[WindAtMyBack]

I don't think veterans should get a free pass about this or anything else. Being a veteran doesn't give them the right to do whatever they want.

On the other hand, punishment should be proportional to the crime. Deportation is a pretty serious punishment, so it should not be done for petty crimes. I don't think veteran status should be a factor. Because as soon as you make it a factor, then you are sending a message that a veteran can get by committing crimes that others can't.

I don't like everything about those deportation laws for green card holders. But I don't think it should be any different for veterans than anyone else.

When I see articles like this NBC article, I almost automatically resist whatever message they are giving. Almost immediately when I read an article like that, I know it's a lie. Not that it is factually incorrect, but because it's an implied lie.

As soon as I see an article with a hook that singles out individuals with a sob story, I know it's a lie. ANY time you cherry pick, it's a lie. That shit happened 50 years or more years ago. But they want to appeal to your emotions instead of merit. That's also a lie in my book.

Notice how the article never said what those guys were being deported for. It didn't mentioned until near the end that they were not actually deported.

Why didn't they get citizenship after living in the US for over 50 years? They had the opportunity for decades. They knew full well that they could get deported for committing crimes. Yet they chose to not become citizens, and to commit crimes anyway.

Veterans in the US are treated very well, maybe too well. Of course you will find exceptions, but exceptions are just that, exceptions.

How about the writers of articles like this tell us what is really going on. Tell us the numbers, the reasons, and more detail. Instead they try to sway people through emotions without actually saying anything.

[DrPepper12]

That's why I linked the military times article too. I don't agree with all you said but it was a pleasure to read a well crafted reply. TY!!

[Dargil]

We should start with the worst offenders. Criminals and those exploiting our infrastructure. Roundem up and stickem on Greyhound with armed ground marshals who are authorized to use deadly force. I would show compassion for long time intact marriages with native born children. But they would be prevented to vote permanently Federal should be changed to vote only with an active social security number that differentiate citizens from PR's and be considered guest workers. And if they freeload the country, out they go.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

This is a complicated situation, and they should be left in America.

[BoopBoopBeep]

As someone who has known no fewer than a dozen Soldiers who earned their citizenship through service, it is incredibly easy. If they can't be arsed to fill out the forms I can't be arsed to care if they have to go back home.

[exitseven]

It is unclear exactly what laws that they violate that got them deported in the first place. Maybe they deserve it?

[DrPepper12]

From what I understand for most it was misdemeanors having to do with addiction or PTSD

[Juxtapose]

Letting foreigners into the military is a huge mistake and even hinting at giving them citizenship because of military service is going to create a military of foreigners who are more willing to brutalize the population than the natives.

Never, ever let foreigners into your military. It is a classic dictator move and it means you are getting ready to kill your populace.

[Juxtapose]

With the ones we do have, give each of them a lump sum of a million dollars and send them on their way. Do not give them citizenship because they served in the military, that is absolutely the wrong message to send. Under no circumstances should that be done. I don't care how unfair it is, it would lead to the death of America.

[DrPepper12]

I really gotta disagree. They earned it.
As far as non citizens in military that also makes me a little uneasy too.

[Juxtapose]

That's a really bad precedent but I will agree to disagree.

[msc545]

Yes, that's a really brilliant position you've taken. Now. All you have to do is travel backwards in time and tell the Americans time of the revolutionary war that hey should be real careful not to let French or Prussian troops assist them in fighting against the English. What do you think the outcome would be now?

[Juxtapose]

Do you not know the difference between allies and letting foreigners into your military? Seriously? Are we really at this point right now?

[msc545]

What do you think the difference is and why do you think that?

[Juxtapose]

@msc545 the French left after the war. People in your military leave when they are discharged and also the USA would have not authorized the French to execute colonists.

[Juxtapose]

If you let foreigners into YOUR military, you are probably a dictator planning to slaughter your people soon.

[Anonymous]

Shouldn't be a thought. They should have automatically been granted citizenship on completion of their service. Even thr Roman empire used to do that.

[Anonymous]

If they’re not citizens how on earth are they serving in the military? That sounds like the real issue.

[abc3643]

Because they live in the United States. Permanent residents who aren't citizens serve as well.
Noncitizens serving has a long tradition.

https://www.usa.gov/military-requirements

Requirements to join the U. S. military
Every branch of the military sets its own standards for enlisting. Learn about the specific requirements for each, including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
...
Citizenship and residency
U. S. citizens and some non-citizens can join the military. If you are not a U. S. citizen, you must:

Have a U. S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Speak, read, and write English fluently
You cannot join the military to enter the U. S. or to get a visa.

[onedarkcloud]

They earned the chance at citizenship with a review of their service record and citizenship should be granted with the option to be revoked if convicted of a major crime in the future

[gatixek710]

They should claim to be Ukranian. Then they'd have billions thrown at them.

[msc545]

This is just WRONG in so many ways.