I'm a Marine Commbat veteran of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. I was told that by me serving in the war, I had automatically become a US Citizen. Fine, but five years after the war, and an honorable discharge, I had a run-in with the law. I was later deported because, as they put it, I was not a US citizen. After serving eleven years in the United States Military, one of those years I served fighting in Kuwait and Iraq. I submitted my application to the Immigration Department but was deported befor I was able to have my interview. Now, the San Diego office won't even answer my letters. I could have died fighting for America, then they just turn and deport me just like that. Aint that a B_ _ ch? If any one knows what I can do to get back to my wife and son, please let me know at <<EMAIL remove by MOD>> Thanks!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave_M,
Originally posted by Sch****e: That don't sound correct at all. Get ahold of the US Consulate ASAP.
The US military is open for all to join and serve, even forgein born nationals. If one thinks about it, our military today and has been for some time, actually is a Forgein Legion with it's diversity of nationalities. Being told, by serving one automatically becomes a US citizen is the same as being told, when one make a career out of the military you automatically recieve free medical and dental the rest of their life. Same kind of urban legend. When in the military, a servicemember is bound by both military and civilian law. Upon discharge, military law no longer applies. Although in civvie courts, sometimes the defendents military service will be taken into consideration, but when dealing with the feds, federal law prevails.I don't know if state law has the authority to deport a forgein national without the approval of the feds or not, but if they do and it was a state law that you broke, then your deportation was federally sanctioned. If it was a federal law then..........your screwed.
I served in Vietnam as did my little older brother and neither of us were U.S citizens, and nothing was offered or promised to either of us. My brother made a career of the Army, and to date is still a 'Dutch" national, he has his green residency card, and Dutch Passport. I also made the Army a career but became a citizen in 1973. There was no difference in pride of service or country my brother and I felt. He was as I said a little older than me, so it was his choice to either return to The Netherlands to fulfill his "Draft" service, or joining the American Armed Forces. For me, it was more of a personal choice. Serving in the U.S Armed Forces does not automatically give or make you a citizen, and it shouldn't. IF YOU were a foreign national, YOU KNEW the rules, you knew what you had to do, how to do it and when to do it. A natural born American may not be familiar with immigration law issues, but all others were aware and made aware. Nevertheless, wishing you the best and Godspeed, Eres Tu ! Freddy
He did say he was married and had a child.if she is an American citizen SHE can contact senators and representatives.....and even the governors office and ask for a green card for her husband.It has nothing to do with the military.My now ex-wife was from Mexico, we were waiting for her green card to get processed and she received an emergency call that her mother was ill.As soon as she touched the border she was not allowed back in.I sent letters and called all the politicians in the state.It still took a little while but it moved A LOT faster.
Hope this helps even a little.
*personally i believe if anyone helps defend our country and puts his neck out ought to have a streamlined process for becoming a citizen or a permanent 'green' card.
OP served 3 years in jail for a drug crime (we don't know if the sentence longer). You don't get 3 years for a minor or first time offense. When he said to himself "**** it, I'll take my chances", he did just that and came out on the losing end. If his wife & son felt he was worth being with, they would be with him now. Even taking his military service into consideration, do you really want this guy living next to you?
Regardless of who you are, no one is above the law. Of course this can be argued that justice might not include the 'elect' who have tons of cash and power to buy their way out of trouble. But for the millions of 'combat' vets and the other millions Americans who don't have tons of cash and power; if you can't do the time, don't do the crime...
