U.S. Army Veteran Deported to Mexico After 2 Tours in Afghanistan

[smilesammich 10,727]

3 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

Actually, he only paid for half of his crime.  When an LPR is convicted of a CMT they reach the radar of ICE, hence, this guy lost his LPR status and reverted to his only fall back, Citizen of Mexico which he never gave up.  Easy Peasy, the US didn't send a US criminal to Mexico, they sent a Mexican criminal to Mexico.

that's normally how sentences run in the us, you normally don't serve the entire sentence.

they sent a us veteran to mexico.

[smilesammich 10,727]

2 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

I understand the diagnosis because I have actually been through the diagnosing process and have been diagnosed with PTSD/TBI. Do you want to see my VA paperwork showing what I am rated for? No, I take it personal when Veterans commit a crime and want to blame that they have XYZ syndrome/diagnosis. Because it looks bad for the rest of us Veterans and further tarnishes what we have done and what we have had to go through. As soon as a Veteran does something winds them up in jail the headline always states "XXX Veteran commits XXXX". I literally learned that in the 2nd day of boot camp that whatever you will do out in the real world no long has consequences for yourself but also for the Marine Corps as whole. Because it will no long be Greensboro man did this or that, it will now be Marine did this or that.

again, that's a burden you're putting on yourself. why would i want to see your va paperwork?

i think it's silly to get so worked up over something that has nothing to do with you. i'm not going to argue with you concerning the symptoms of ptsd/tbi. the fact that you think folks with these disorders use them as a 'crutch' kinda makes me think you don't know much about your own diagnosis. but see, that's making this all personal about you - which was never my intention. again, i'm sorry you think that any veteran that commits a crime is somehow making you look bad but, that's all on you. you don't have to take everything so personally.

4 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

I have served with several people that got their citizenship while in the Marine Corps and this was before the "expedited processing" that they get now. So he knew that he should have filed for his citizenship but did nothing about it.

he thought his service gave him citizenship. pretty sure i read that. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

6 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

again, that's a burden you're putting on yourself. why would i want to see your va paperwork?

i think it's silly to get so worked up over something that has nothing to do with you. i'm not going to argue with you concerning the symptoms of ptsd/tbi. the fact that you think folks with these disorders use them as a 'crutch' kinda makes me think you don't know much about your own diagnosis. but see, that's making this all personal about you - which was never my intention. again, i'm sorry you think that any veteran that commits a crime is somehow making you look bad but, that's all on you. you don't have to take everything so personally.

he thought his service gave him citizenship. pretty sure i read that. 

I do not think it makes us look bad because I KNOW it makes us look bad. You have never seen the faces of anyone after you told them that you have PTSD, because the face says it all.

 

I am not saying he is using it as crutch at all I am saying that he is using it as a way to try to avoid deportation or the consequences of his actions. He choose that lifestyle so now he must own up to it and the consequences that come with all of it. He is a man and now he must deal with it.

 

I only offered to show you my paperwork so that you can see I am rated for PTSD and TBI myself. So I think I know alittle something more about it than you do.

Edited March 29, 2018 by cyberfx1024

[smilesammich 10,727]

3 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

I do not think it makes us look bad because I KNOW it makes us look bad. You have never seen the faces of anyone after you told them that you have PTSD, because the face says it all.

 

I am not saying he is using it as crutch at all I am saying that he is using it as a way to try to avoid deportation or the consequences of his actions. He choose that lifestyle so now he must own up to it and the consequences that come with all of it. He is a man and now he must deal with it.

 

I only offered to show you my paperwork so that you can see I am rated for PTSD and TBI myself. So I think I know alittle something more about it than you do.

the contradictions in your statements are just too much. the very nature of ptsd and tbi manifest very often in poor lifestyle choices. he wouldn't have ptsd or a tbi if he hadn't served in our military.

i have multiple marines in my family and have a lifetime of experience with ptsd. you don't have to prove anything to me.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

7 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

the contradictions in your statements are just too much. the very nature of ptsd and tbi manifest very often in poor lifestyle choices. he wouldn't have ptsd or a tbi if he hadn't served in our military.

i have multiple marines in my family and have a lifetime of experience with ptsd. you don't have to prove anything to me.

How are my statements contradictory at all? I said and I implied that those of us with TBI and PTSD have be able to be held accountable for our actions. Not use them as a way to less the consequences that we would face if anything happens at all, which that is what he is doing.

 

Just because you have family members that are Marines don't mean you understand what it means to have TBI or PTSD, I understand it because I live it. You don't think I have urges to go off when my anger flares up due to my PTSD/TBI? I have learned to control my actions/emotions due what I am experiencing now. He is probably like me now and able to control his actions but it took me a long time to fully understand everything about my body due to having TBI/PTSD and the Marines not doing anything about it.

[Dashinka 24,513]

I am all for those that serve gaining citizenship for their service as long as they are subject to the same background checks, the same screening, as any other N400 applicant.  Then, they must serve a minimum of 3 years, not partake in any CMTs, and obtain an Honorable Discharge, bam, Citizenship.  Since they are serving, we can waive the filing fee (do we do that already?). 

[smilesammich 10,727]

Just now, cyberfx1024 said:

How are my statements contradictory at all? I said and I implied that those of us with TBI and PTSD have be able to be held accountable for our actions. Not use them as a way to less the consequences that we would face if anything happens at all, which that is what he is doing.

 

Just because you have family members that are Marines don't mean you understand what it means to have TBI or PTSD, I understand it because I live it. You don't think I have urges to go off when my anger flares up due to my PTSD/TBI? I have learned to control my actions/emotions due what I am experiencing now. He is probably like me now and able to control his actions but it took me a long time to fully understand everything about my body due to having TBI/PTSD and the Marines not doing anything about it.

he didn't get out of his sentence for the crime he committed, he was held accountable for his actions.

 

so, the only people that can understand tbi/ptsd are those who are diagnosed with them? living with family who has ptds isn't enough? ok.

the marines should most definitely take care of all veterans who have tbis/ptsd, not arguing with you there.

 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

2 hours ago, smilesammich said:

see the previous comment by another poster about not all veterans being 'good' guys, that might help you figure it out.

in my mind, anyone who signs on to possibly sacrifice their lives for this country deserves full citizenship. i was born in this country and i would never - ever serve in the military. by my personal standards -i should be deported over this guy.

Merle said being a vet does not make one a hero.  I agree.

 

Bill said not all vets are good.  I also agree.  A vet is a human with a particular career track.  And while I have much respect for those who serve, that does not change the fact that they are human, and some humans just are not as good as others.  If they were, we would have zero crime in the US.  (We have had vets go bonkers and kill people, as an example how being a vet really has nothing to do with their morals)

The VA does not give out medical care based on the words good or bad, rather their service and injuries incurred while in service.  

Another example that follows vets around is that if they are discharged under dishonorable conditions, they can never legally own a firearm.  Do you (or does anyone) have a problem with that?

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

2 hours ago, smilesammich said:

we're talking drug charges and tbi/ptsd..he didn't kill anyone.

I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a TBI.  That was a claim he himself made, that he “might have TBI”.  I can find nothing official about that from any official source.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

57 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

he didn't get out of his sentence for the crime he committed, he was held accountable for his actions.

 

so, the only people that can understand tbi/ptsd are those who are diagnosed with them? living with family who has ptds isn't enough? ok.

the marines should most definitely take care of all veterans who have tbis/ptsd, not arguing with you there.

 

You did not say you were living with anyone that has PTSD/TBI, you just said you had family members that have it.

 

 

When I got back from Iraq in 2007 and then transferred to Parris Island MCRD there was 1 count that 1 mental health professional to cover 2 Marine Corps bases at that time. So I called in and got seen initially and they straight up said "We don't have enough Specialists right now so your next appt is in 6-8 weeks, but if you feel like your going to hurt yourself or others call this number". I tried again a couple months later and same thing. I did not actually get any kind of therapy until 2014 and she was great. At that time in 2007 they were just starting to see the issues with PTSD/TBI and they were trying to understand it all.

 

I can see many decisions that I made at that time were because of TBI/PTSD and quite honestly I should have tried to get medically retired back then due to it. But I was young stupid guy who didn't want that mark on my record. But I owned up to all of my mistakes and took responsibility for them.

 

He did pay for his crimes by going to jail but you can not exempt one person from the laws due to them being a veteran. There are other veterans that are in Mexico right now because they got convicted of crimes, did their time and got deported. It sucks, it really does suck. Believe it or not but the VA does have hospitals and health centers in other countries, and from what I know he got out Honorably so he should take advantage of those services.

 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

2 hours ago, RLA said:

The question is, why are non-citizens even allowed to serve?  Shouldn't people swear the oath of allegiance before being entrusted with America's military power?  

The WHY is because our current laws allow it.

They swear an oath to protect and defend the constitution (including all the amendments).  The perk to the PR for doing so is a shortened wait to apply to naturalize; from 5 years normally down to 1 year (in peacetime), or just joining the military under hostile times (like now).  So someone who is NOT an LPR can join the military, be present in the US (or a US ship) at the time of enlistment, show good moral character for the year previous, enlist, and turn right around and apply for citizenship.  It’s not automatic, but I really don’t know of any other way that is faster to go from visa holder to USC.

[Boiler 45,537]

Drug dealer gets deported.

 

And the problem is?

[smilesammich 10,727]

13 minutes ago, IDWAF said:

I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a TBI.  That was a claim he himself made, that he “might have TBI”.  I can find nothing official about that from any official source.

well, if you, a complete stranger with no legitimate knowledge of his case and no medical background are sure he doesn't have a tbi - i guess you should alert the authorities with your official determination.

[smilesammich 10,727]

7 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

You did not say you were living with anyone that has PTSD/TBI, you just said you had family members that have it.

 

 

When I got back from Iraq in 2007 and then transferred to Parris Island MCRD there was 1 count that 1 mental health professional to cover 2 Marine Corps bases at that time. So I called in and got seen initially and they straight up said "We don't have enough Specialists right now so your next appt is in 6-8 weeks, but if you feel like your going to hurt yourself or others call this number". I tried again a couple months later and same thing. I did not actually get any kind of therapy until 2014 and she was great. At that time in 2007 they were just starting to see the issues with PTSD/TBI and they were trying to understand it all.

 

I can see many decisions that I made at that time were because of TBI/PTSD and quite honestly I should have tried to get medically retired back then due to it. But I was young stupid guy who didn't want that mark on my record. But I owned up to all of my mistakes and took responsibility for them.

 

He did pay for his crimes by going to jail but you can not exempt one person from the laws due to them being a veteran. There are other veterans that are in Mexico right now because they got convicted of crimes, did their time and got deported. It sucks, it really does suck. Believe it or not but the VA does have hospitals and health centers in other countries, and from what I know he got out Honorably so he should take advantage of those services.

 

still no reason to deport him or anyone else that serves this country. like i said, i would never sacrifice as much and i'm a citizen no matter what. seems less than honorable to deport a veteran.

[Dashinka 24,513]

6 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

still no reason to deport him or anyone else that serves this country. like i said, i would never sacrifice as much and i'm a citizen no matter what. seems less than honorable to deport a veteran.

Let's just do away with the CMT requirement altogether for everyone.