U.S. military veterans without citizenship are being deported

Americas Now

Military veterans of the United States – who are not U.S. citizens – can be deported if they commit a crime. It’s happened to over 200 combatants and most are from Mexico.

Correspondent Mike Kirsch reports on these deported vets. He’ll tell us what happens to them when they leave the U.S. and if their deportations can be reversed.

Many Mexican immigrants joined the US military and fought in wars on behalf of the country. But they were soldiers – not citizens – because they were never officially naturalized. And they later found out they had no legal protection against being deported if they committed a crime.

Their supporters say the real crime is how the US government could deport them in the first place after risking their lives to protect and defend the United States.

Deported Veterans hope outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama will reverse or commute their expulsions with a presidential pardon, before leaving office. Obama has now commuted 184 prison sentences in the United States during his two terms, more than the combined number of those granted by America’s last six presidents.

Check out Americas Now Correspondent Mike Kirsch’s report below.

U.S. military veterans without citizenship are being deported

Military veterans of the United States - who are not U.S. citizens – can be deported if they commit a crime. It’s happened to over 200 combatants and most are from Mexico. Correspondent Mike Kirsch reports on these deported vets. He’ll tell us what happens to them when they leave the U.S. and if their deportations can be reversed. Many Mexican immigrants joined the US military and fought in wars on behalf of the country. But they were soldiers - not citizens - because they were never officially naturalized. And they later found out they had no legal protection against being deported if they committed a crime. Their supporters say the real crime is how the US government could deport them in the first place after risking their lives to protect and defend the United States. Deported Veterans hope outgoing US President Barack Obama will reverse or commute their expulsions with a presidential pardon, before leaving office. Obama has now commuted 184 prison sentences in the United States during his two terms, more than the combined number of those granted by America’s last six presidents. Check out Americas Now Correspondent Mike Kirsch's report below.