Subject:Media Advisory: Members of Congress to Visit Deported Veterans in Mexico
For immediate release
Friday, May 26, 2017
Contact:Erin Hatch, 202-225-3236
Media Advisory: Members of Congress to Visit Deported Veterans in Mexico
San Antonio, TX –On Saturday, June 3, seven members of Congress will visit theDeported Veterans Support Housein Tijuana, Mexico to meet with veterans who have been deported from the United States. During the visit, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Lou Correa (CA-46), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) will tour the facility and hear the veterans’ personal stories.
As of January 2017, there were 10,644 noncitizens currently serving in the U.S. military and an additional 11,524 noncitizens under reserve status. The greatest numbers of lawful permanent resident (LPR) service members come from the Philippines, Mexico, Jamaica, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic. Overall, there are about 608,000 living foreign-born veterans of the U.S. armed forces from nations around the world.
Many LPR service members are told by recruiters that they can quickly gain citizenship for themselves and their family after serving honorably. However, they are not advised that citizenship is not granted automatically and that they must actively seek citizenship through the standard (although expedited) application process. A 2016 report by the ACLU estimates that the United States has deported more than 230 veterans.
Press is welcome to be present for the duration of the members’ time at the Deported Veterans Support House, and members will hold a media availability on the premises at the end of their visit.
WHO:Several deported veterans and their family members
Joaquin Castro (TX-20), First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Lou Correa (CA-46)
Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15)
Raul Grijalva (AZ-03)
Juan Vargas (CA-51)
Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
WHAT:Visit to the Deported Veterans Support House followed by media availability
DATE:Saturday, June 3, 2017
TIME:Members will arrive at the Support House at approximately 11:45 a.m. PST, and a media availability will be held at approximately 12:50 p.m. PST
LOCATION:Deported Veterans Support House
Calle Calzada Tecnolojico near El Colejio Tecnolojico
Calle Juan Alvarez 1821
Fracc. Tomas Aquino, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
RSVP:Please RSVP to Erin Hatch
###
Contact information
Deported Veterans Support House “Bunker” Tijuana
Director & Founder Spc Hector Barajas 82nd abn
626-569-5491 US 664-522-8745 Mex.