Congressman Gonzalez Urges United States Governors to Pardon Deported Veterans

WASHINGTON—Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) sent a letter to every U.S. state governor calling on them to pardon veterans who are currently in deportation proceedings or have already been deported. The letter comes after the congressman hosted a roundtable with leaders from veteran service organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41) to discuss the Repatriate Our Patriots Act, a piece of bipartisan legislation that would bring home deported veterans and expedite their citizenship process.

A pardon from a state governor could make it more feasible for deported veterans to return home to the United States.

"There is already precedent for pardoning our patriots," Congressman Gonzalez said. "There is no reason why other governors should not exercise their constitutional authority to help honorably discharged veterans, many of whom are highly decorated and were unjustly deported for minor crimes."

Last year, California Governor, Jerry Brown, pardoned three honorably discharged veterans who were deported to Mexico after completing sentences for minor crimes. Hector Barajas Varela, one of the men pardoned, founded and currently operates the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Mexico. Congressman Gonzalez joined members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to visit the Support House last year.

Read one of the full letters below:

February 27, 2018

Governor Greg Abbott

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711

Dear Governor Abbott,

Every state in this great nation has the privilege of being home to veterans of our armed forces. The 15th District is home to nearly 40,000 of these courageous men and women. These individuals signed a blank check to the United States government, payable with their lives. Yet despite all that these veterans have done for us, thousands—many of whom are highly decorated—have faced deportation. Many of these veterans qualified for citizenship, but administrative errors cost them their livelihoods. This reality is a disgrace, but we have the power to change it.

Last summer, I introduced H.R. 3429, The Repatriate Our Patriots Act, with my colleagues Congressmen Don Young (R-AK) and Beto O'Rourke (D-TX). Our legislation would enable honorably discharged veterans, who were deported for minor crimes, to return to the United States as legal permanent residents. In addition, these veterans would be allowed to go through an expedited naturalization process—the same process they were promised—but not given—after joining our military. Lastly, the Department of Homeland Security would be directed to create a program that identifies and maintains the records of immigration cases involving qualified veterans. This bill excludes those convicted of heinous felonies such as voluntary manslaughter, murder, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, and/or acts of terrorism.

Recently, I hosted a roundtable with leaders from major veteran service organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and my colleague, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Congressman Mark Takano of California. Two organizations in attendance, AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America, publicly support H.R. 3429, with AMVETS calling the deportation of honorably discharged veterans a "stain on our country's pride." I wholeheartedly agree with this testimonial and have attached their letter with my own. I expect many other veteran service organizations to follow suit.

As governor, you too can take action. I call on you to utilize your constitutional authority and pardon honorably discharged veterans who are currently in deportation proceedings or have already been deported. A colleague of yours in the United States has already exercised this authority on behalf of veterans, and I encourage you to pardon our patriots.

A pardon from you would make it more feasible for these veterans to return to the country they proudly served—the United States of America. Together, we can protect our honorably-serving, foreign-born veterans from deportation, and correct the wrongdoings of our government by bringing those who have already been deported home. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact my staff members in the Washington D.C office, Mark Footerman and Fred Castro by email at mark.footerman@mail.house.gov and fred.castro@mail.house.gov. You can also call my office at (202) 225-2531.

Thank you for your support of our nation's heroes; I look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Vicente Gonzalez

Member of Congress