WASHINGTON, D.C. — Julio Torres, a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, wears the American flag and Marine Corps insignia as tattoos on his arms, symbols of his dedication to a country he has called home since the age of five.
After battling complex issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug addiction linked to his military service, this 44-year-old veteran transitioned into a role as a pastor, aiming to bring hope and freedom to those confronting similar hardships.
However, Torres’s hometown in East Texas now feels more like confinement than the cherished land of liberty. With President Trump's intensified immigration policies, he fears venturing out could lead to deportation.
Despite legally obtaining a green card, Torres endured detention last year under the Biden administration, raising alarm about potential repercussions under Trump's stricter immigration enforcement. “I want to serve my community and nation, not leave them,” he expressed with a heavy heart. “Did I fight for this nation just to be ripped away from my children if I get deported?”
Torres is not alone; more than 100,000 military veterans live in the U.S. without citizenship, per recent Congressional Research Service estimates. Immigration measures under the Trump administration have exacerbated their risks of deportation.
Amid mounting concerns, Congress members are voicing alarm over ongoing deportations affecting military veterans. A bipartisan bill, spearheaded by Rep. Mark Takano, seeks to give veterans opportunities to apply for lawful immigration status, alongside Harriet Cohen, a representative from Florida, advocating increased access to citizenship applications amid renewed scrutiny of the current administration's policies.
“It is crucial for Americans to recognize the contributions of noncitizens to our national security,” Representative Takano emphasized. “This isn't just about being a threat; it’s about our military's backbone, which includes many noncitizen members.”
Torres recalls the anger felt when immigration agents detained him at a Texas facility after he returned from visiting family in Mexico. Having faced charges years ago that compromised his residency status, he felt betrayed instead of honored by the nation he had dedicated his life to defending.
Reflections on his experiences reveal deep emotional turmoil: "I'm scared to take my kids to the store fearing ICE could take me away," he lamented.
Veterans like David Bariu, deported to Kenya after serving in the military, also highlight alarming realities of deportation consequences. After a tumultuous journey involving depression and adapting to hostile environments, Bariu succeeded in returning to the U.S. and supporting other deported veterans through community activism.
Changes in Citizenship Process
Efforts are underway to amend the citizenship process for service members, including provisions for applying during basic training. Legislators are adamant about establishing expanded benefits and opportunities for military families and reducing barriers imposed during Trump's earlier administration.
Despite rigid stances from republican lawmakers, Torres remains hopeful that tackling immigration as a veterans issue could transcend partisan divides. “This is about a veteran,” he concluded earnestly. “Even if this nation fails to recognize me, it remains my homeland.”
