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Congressman Confronts Homeland Security Secretary over Veteran Deportations
In a dramatic exchange during a congressional hearing Thursday, Rhode Island Democratic Representative Seth Magaziner challenged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the deportation of military veterans, exposing contradictions in her testimony with a real-time demonstration.
The confrontation began when Magaziner directly asked Noem, “Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?”
“Uh, sir, we have not deported US citizens or military veterans,” Noem replied confidently.
What followed was a carefully orchestrated moment that caught the secretary off guard. Magaziner introduced Sae Joon Park, who joined the hearing via Zoom on an iPad. Park, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Panama in 1989, was shot twice during his service and received a Purple Heart.
“He is a United States Army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989,” Magaziner explained. “Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service. He was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses. Nothing serious. He never hurt anyone besides himself. And he’s been clean and sober for 14 years.”
The congressman then delivered the crucial revelation: “Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was 7 years old. Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?”
The moment highlighted the plight of non-citizen veterans who served in the U.S. military but face deportation after criminal convictions, despite their service and sacrifices. Park’s case illustrates a policy issue that has persisted across multiple administrations, where veterans who are legal permanent residents but not citizens can be deported if they commit crimes, regardless of their military service.
Noem, visibly uncomfortable, offered a general statement that she was “grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws,” but did not directly address Park’s deportation.
Magaziner pressed further, asking, “This man took two bullets for our country. Will you — you have broad authority, by the way, as secretary, to issue humanitarian parole, to do deferred action — will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park’s case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for?”
After Noem agreed to review Park’s case, Magaziner moved on to discuss other examples of veteran families affected by deportations.
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, with political commentators and journalists calling it “devastating” for Secretary Noem and “one of the most astonishing scenes” to play out in Congress.
“Shove the cruelty into their faces. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s politically advantageous,” wrote political journalist David Corn on social media.
The confrontation highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrant veterans. According to advocacy groups, hundreds of non-citizen veterans have been deported over the years despite their military service. These veterans often came to the United States legally as children, served honorably in the military, but never completed the naturalization process that would have granted them citizenship.
In 2021, the Biden administration announced initiatives to support non-citizen service members, veterans, and their families, including a review of policies related to deportation of veterans. However, cases like Park’s demonstrate that deportations have continued.
The Department of Homeland Security has discretionary authority to grant relief in certain cases through mechanisms like humanitarian parole or deferred action, which Magaziner referenced during the hearing.
As the video of this exchange continues to circulate, it serves as a powerful reminder of the complex intersection between immigration policy and military service, raising questions about how the United States treats those who have served in its armed forces but do not hold citizenship.
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14 Comments
The fact that a decorated combat veteran could be so close to deportation is deeply concerning. I’m glad Rep. Magaziner was able to shine a light on this problem and challenge the secretary’s misleading statements.
Yes, this case underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability when it comes to the treatment of immigrant veterans. The government must do better to support those who have risked their lives for this country.
This exchange is a powerful reminder of the importance of fact-checking and holding our government officials accountable. I commend Rep. Magaziner for his quick thinking and determination to expose the truth.
Agreed. It’s heartening to see a lawmaker take such a proactive approach to uncovering the reality of what’s happening with veteran deportations. This type of vigilance is crucial for ensuring our government serves the people.
This is a fascinating exchange. The fact that a US Army combat veteran who received a Purple Heart was almost deported is deeply troubling. It’s good that Rep. Magaziner was able to expose this contradiction in real-time.
Yes, it’s concerning that veterans who have served our country are facing deportation. The government needs to do more to support and protect these individuals.
The confrontation between Rep. Magaziner and Secretary Noem really highlights the importance of fact-checking and holding officials accountable. I’m glad the exchange went viral – it’s an important issue that deserves attention.
Absolutely. Transparency and accountability from our government officials is crucial, especially when it comes to issues affecting our veterans and service members.
This is a powerful example of how congressional oversight and fact-checking can uncover important issues that might otherwise be overlooked. I hope this leads to changes in how the government treats veteran deportation cases.
Me too. It’s crucial that we protect the men and women who have served our country, even if they’ve made mistakes. They deserve our support, not deportation.
Kudos to Rep. Magaziner for his quick thinking and skillful handling of this confrontation. Exposing the secretary’s contradictory statements in real-time was an impressive feat.
Agreed. It’s heartening to see a lawmaker so effectively hold a government official accountable. This is the kind of oversight we need to ensure our veterans are treated with the respect they deserve.
This is a sobering reminder that even those who have sacrificed for our country can still face unjust treatment from the government. I hope this case leads to meaningful policy changes to protect veteran immigrants.
Absolutely. Our veterans, regardless of their immigration status, should be afforded the utmost respect and support from the government they served. This is an important issue that deserves serious attention.