U.S. Army veterans in South Korea have reported self-deporting after receiving warnings from immigration officials that they needed to leave the U.S. or face detention and deportation, as stated by NPR.
Sae Joon Park, a 55-year-old veteran, shared that an official from Hawaii’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reached out to him in early June, indicating he had a few weeks to leave or risk being detained. Park, who has held a green card since moving to the U.S. at age seven and received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during his military service, expressed disbelief at his situation. He stated, “I can’t believe this is happening in the US,” emphasizing his disillusionment as a veteran.
Despite the gravity of his circumstances, Park reflected on his past decisions, particularly not pursuing naturalization, partly due to a lack of understanding about the consequences of remaining a non-citizen. He was also not eligible for expedited naturalization for veterans.
Park’s journey began when he moved with his mother to Miami at the age of seven. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. military in search of direction and to “serve the country.” He participated in the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, where he sustained gunshot wounds during a firefight, remarkably surviving as one bullet struck his dog tag. He was later discharged with honor and awarded a Purple Heart.
Unfortunately, Park struggled silently with PTSD, which he said led to a longstanding addiction to crack cocaine throughout his twenties and thirties. “I was suffering badly from PTSD,” he recounted, explaining the severe impact it had on his daily life, including nightmares and an aversion to loud sounds.
His issues worsened, culminating in arrests related to drug offenses. After a judge warned him not to return with “dirty urine,” he chose to jump bail, which complicated his immigration status, as outlined by his lawyer, Danicol Ramos. They noted that criminal actions can lead to deportation under U.S. law.
While in prison, Park managed to overcome his drug use. Later, he settled in Hawaii with his family, only to receive another deportation order. After regular check-ins with ICE, he faced the new ultimatum to leave the country or be detained. In response, he voluntarily chose to depart, along with his elderly mother and two adult children.
Despite all he has faced, Park maintained a sense of pride in his military service. “Even after all that I have experienced, I have no regrets joining the military or being shot,” he shared. “It’s a part of my life and my journey. It made me who I am today.”
The Daily Caller reached out to ICE for comments but did not receive an immediate response.
