Veterans Visa and Protection Act
http://grijalva.house.gov/news-and-press-releases/grijalva-reintroduces-veterans-visa-and-protection-act/

ABOUT THE BILL
—From Congressman Raúl Grijalva

It is shameful that our country has turned our back on these men and women who put their lives on the line.  A few weeks ago, I went to Tijuana to visit deported U.S. veterans. Many of them still have family back in the U.S. and are currently struggling to support themselves back in Mexico.

It is shameful that our country has turned our back on these men and women who put their lives on the line, which is why I have introduced legislation to allow them to return.
The government should not deport those who have served this country, and any veterans who have been deported should be allowed to return.

This legislation would establish a visa program that allows deported veterans who meet certain requirements to return to the U.S. as lawful permanent residents. Those who are eligible would be able to go through the existing naturalization process for military members, and they’d be granted access to their military and veteran benefits.

This bill would also halt the deportation of any veterans who are currently facing removal proceedings. The only circumstance in which a veteran should be deported is if he or she has been convicted of a violent criminal offense.

After sacrificing so much to ensure our own freedom and protection, we owe it to these brave individuals to ensure they are not subject to deportation and allow those who have been deported to return.

Please encourage your Representatives to support my bill, the Veterans Visa &
Protection Act, if you agree that people who serve this country should not face deportation.

I’ve requested an official congressional hearing on this legislation, and it will take all of us speaking out for this issue to get the attention it deserves.
Thank you for standing with me in this effort.

Peace,
Raúl Grijalva
http://grijalva.house.gov

FULL TEXT OF BILL: http://grijalva.house.gov/uploads/VeteranVisaProtectionAct.pdf

ACLU PETITION
Urge your representative to pass the Veterans Visa and Protection Act and #BringThemHome.
http://action.aclu.org/secure/stop-deporting-our-veterans

More Information: http://www.deportedveteranssupporthouse.org/legislation/

Photo: Anthony Delanoix
http://unsplash.com/@anthonydelanoix