In brief
Sae Joon Park, a South Korean immigrant and U.S. Army veteran, faced deportation due to a drug charge after years of service and struggles with PTSD. Park's case reflects broader immigration issues under Trump's administration targeting military members. As policies shifted, many veterans and their families now face uncertainty, with calls for comprehensive immigration reform to protect those who served.
PHOENIX (AP) — U.S. Army veteran Sae Joon Park faced a potential threat of deportation leading up to the 2024 presidential election, forced to make a heartbreaking decision after a long struggle with PTSD and addiction. Originally from South Korea, Park came to the U.S. as a child and served in the Army, earning a Purple Heart. After being arrested in 2009, he faced deportation but was granted deferred action because of his veteran status.
For 14 years, Park raised his family in Honolulu while checking in with immigration officials. However, in June, he was surprised to learn of his removal order. Opting for self-deportation over a potentially lengthy detention, he has since returned to South Korea after three decades.
Park expressed dismay at his treatment, stating, They allowed me to join, serve the country – front line, taking bullets for this country. That should mean something. His sentiments echo the experiences of many veterans who feel abandoned by the nation they served.
Under Trump, immigration policies targeted noncitizen military personnel, complicating pathways to citizenship and disregarding their service. Retired Lt. Col. Margaret Stock emphasized that Trump’s rhetoric of mass deportation included military personnel, harming recruitment and national security.
Since the Biden administration rescinded protections for noncitizen veterans, tensions have escalated. Currently, estimates suggest around 10,000 veterans face deportation, as evidenced by cases like Park's. Lawmakers have initiated bills to offer more protections, advocating for a reconsideration of veterans’ immigration statuses.
Park now navigates a foreign landscape in South Korea, struggling to adapt. Supporters have started petitions to find justice for him, but Park remains doubtful about his return to the U.S., voicing, This is not the country that I volunteered and fought for. His story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by veterans caught in the crosshairs of immigration policies.
