US Army veteran Hector Barajas to return home more than a decade after he was deported to Mexico

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Independent


A gubernatorial pardon cleared the way for Mr Barajas to return to California

Jeremy B White San Francisco an hour ago

Eight years after he was last deported to Mexico, a US army veteran is returning to California.

A pardon last year from Governor Jerry Brown cleared the way for Hector Barajas, who was living in Tijuana, to secure citizenship. He received word that his request was granted and is set to be sworn in in San Diego next month, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

“Oh my god, this is great”, Mr Barajas said in a Facebook video during which he opened a document confirming the decision while wearing a uniform bristling with medals.

“I’m coming home, mom”, he said, fighting back tears.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hector-barajas-deported-citizenship-deported-veterans-support-house-tijuana-jerry-brown-pardon-a8282096.html

[ProudLib72]

1. Finally some good news!

Now we need to keep the rest from being deported in the first place.

[tazkcmo]

2. Awesome!

Our government has treated non-whites shamefully including these immigrants that met their obligation only be treated like yesterday's trash.

Welcome home Mr. Barajas and thank you for your and your family's service.

[leanforward]

3. This is great.

Two questions. First, congratulations to those who helped to bring this about. Last question, who instigated deportation in the first place?

Once you have served, you are a citizen. If you lived and breathed in uniform, you are one of us.

[LittleGirl]

6. In theory if you serve

you MAY be granted citizenship but not always. Of course, I agree with you but the law is on the side of the US Gov't. They can say, no thanks, go back to where you came. Which is shameful considering how they served our country, yet not even a citizen. If you serve and serve with dignity and respect, with no federal crimes against you, you should become a citizen. Check the USCIS web site for more details.

Welcome to DU, leanforward.

[Cryptoad]

4. US Army veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan has been deported to Mexico

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/25/us/us-veteran-deported-to-mexico/index.html

[AncientGeezer]

5. I'm curious...did anyone read the article? It's linked so I assume we accept it?

"He pleaded no contest in 2002 to a charge of shooting at an occupied vehicle .."
"He re-entered the US and was deported a second time in 2010 after being pulled over."
We claim to be for stopping gun violence but...applaud this now?
I don't get it.

[Stonepounder]

7. Well, he was a Major when he left the Army.

Do you suppose if he had been of Canadian, British, Irish, German or other 'white' origin with a permanent resident status and a chest full of ribbons he would have been deported? We don't know the details of the 2002 charge and there was no indication that the 2010 stop was anything but a routine traffic stop.

Also note that he founded an organization in Mexico to work with other US Vets who had been deported after serving. I don't think that Gov. Brown would have granted a pardon unless he was convinced that either the original charge was somewhat bogus or that after 16 years Hector was no threat to society.

[Jake Stern]

9. Actually he was a Specialist (E-4)

As for your other point there haven't been, to my knowledge, any Canadian, British, Irish or German green card holders that served in the military then came home and fired a gun at an occupied vehicle so neither you nor I have any idea what would happen to them.

[Stonepounder]

10. Hmmm...the picture of him in full uniform shows him with silver oak leaves on his shoulders. n/t

And I would still like to know much more about 'firing at an occupied vehicle' before I pass judgement one way or the other.

[Jake Stern]

11. 10 USC 532 (a) (1) - Must be a US citizen to be commissioned an officer.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/532

Unfortunately articles about him don't see to give specifics about the shooting incident.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. The dotard must be ripping his hair out right now