[Guadalajara, Jal. August 15, 2021] In early July, the Biden Administration announced it is formalizing a new process to allow deported veterans to return to the country legally.

In anticipation of the President’s new initiative, The Rhizome Center for Migrants hosted a citizenship and benefits workshop this Sunday, in collaboration with Public Counsel, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Consultants for America’s Veterans, and American Legion Post 7, for deported veterans living in the interior of Mexico.

Seven veterans attended the workshop from six states, including Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, and Jalisco, in a first gathering of deported veterans in Western Central Mexico. Together, these veterans represent more than 30 years of service to the United States, many serving with distinction, and many serving during wartime and periods of hostility, including the Vietnam War, Persian Gulf Conflict, and War on Terrorism. At the time of their deportation, they were legal permanent residents of the United States, and many were fathers to U.S. citizen children they were forced to leave behind.

The workshop identified three veterans whose VA claims have yet to be initiated and five cases of veterans with potential military naturalization claims or other immigration relief. “It was an incredible feat getting these veterans into the same room and an honor to have the opportunity to serve them,” said Tran Dang, Executive Director of The Rhizome Center for Migrants. “We thank everyone who came and supported the event, and we hope that the president will do everything possible to deliver on his promise to correct this lasting moral injury.”.

Read the ACLU’s report, Discharged, Then Discarded to learn more about how the U.S. government, over decades, failed these veterans and why we still need restorative justice.