Immigrant US Veterans Face Deportation Amid Trump’s Mass Removal Campaign

Benito Miranda Hernandez, a US military veteran who served three tours in Iraq, now works in a reentry program in San Diego after years of incarceration. Despite his service and deep ties to the US, he faces the looming threat of deportation because he is not a US citizen.

Since President Donald Trump’s second term began in 2025, his administration has deported over 675,000 people, targeting those with criminal convictions. However, immigrant veterans like Hernandez, many of whom struggle with reintegration and past convictions, fear they are being unfairly swept up in this mass deportation campaign.

A Veteran’s Journey: From Service to Uncertainty

Hernandez was brought to the US as a baby and grew up in California. He enlisted at 18, motivated by a desire to serve the country that had become his home. After three deployments in Iraq, he applied for citizenship, but delays and a criminal conviction for drug possession blocked his naturalization.

Struggling to reintegrate, Hernandez fell into drug-related offenses, leading to multiple prison terms. Now, as he nears release, the fear of immigration agents detaining and deporting him overshadows his progress.

The Scale and Impact of Veteran Deportations

Nearly 731,000 immigrant veterans serve or have served in the US military, with about 118,000 lacking citizenship. Many face deportation due to expanded immigration laws that classify nonviolent offenses as deportable crimes.

The Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign aims to remove the 'worst of the worst,' but advocates warn that immigrant veterans with criminal records are caught in the dragnet, often without targeted consideration.

• 675,000+ deportations since 2025 under Trump’s second term
• About one-third of veterans have been arrested at least once
• Many veterans suffer from PTSD, brain injuries, and substance abuse
• Limited data on exact numbers of deported veterans due to inconsistent reporting

Challenges in Citizenship and Reentry for Immigrant Veterans

Despite expedited naturalization programs for active-duty service members, many veterans like Hernandez face bureaucratic delays and denials due to criminal records. The military lifestyle and deployments often disrupt the citizenship process.

Reentry programs aim to help veterans reintegrate, but the threat of deportation remains a constant source of anxiety, especially for those with convictions.

“I was willing to die for this f***ing country. I went to war for this f***ing country. And you want to try to deport me?”—Benito Miranda Hernandez

Deported Veterans Left Behind and Fighting to Return

Veterans deported to countries like Mexico face immense challenges accessing medical care and veterans’ benefits. Many suffer from PTSD and other service-related conditions without adequate support.

Programs like the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI) offer humanitarian parole to deported veterans, but the process is slow and limited, with only a fraction able to return.

“In the Marines, they told us to leave no man behind. But we’ve been left behind.”—Edwin Salgado, deported Iraq war veteran

The Road Ahead: Advocacy and Uncertain Futures

Advocates continue to push for stronger protections for immigrant veterans, emphasizing that military service should shield them from deportation. Hernandez and others are pursuing all legal avenues to secure citizenship and remain with their families.

While Hernandez recently received permanent residency, he acknowledges that even a green card does not guarantee safety from deportation. The fight to recognize and protect immigrant veterans remains critical as deportations continue.

“I want to see my children grow. I don’t want it to be like, ‘Well, my dad was an immigrant and got deported because he f***ed up.’ OK? I’m a citizen, just like you.”—Benito Miranda Hernandez