Decorated U.S. Veteran Confronts Homeland Security Secretary After Deportation

In a tense exchange during a congressional hearing Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced direct questioning about the deportation of military veterans when Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) presented her with a witness whose experience contradicted her statements.

The confrontation began when Magaziner asked Noem, “How many United States military veterans have you deported?”

“Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans,” Noem responded firmly.

What followed was a powerful moment of accountability as Magaziner introduced Sae Joon Park, a U.S. Army combat veteran who joined the hearing via Zoom. “Madame Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sae Joon Park. He is a United States Army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989,” Magaziner explained.

The congressman detailed Park’s service, noting his Purple Heart recognition and the personal struggles that followed his military career. “Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service…. A purple heart recipient, he has sacrificed more for this country than most people ever have.”

Magaziner then revealed the crux of the issue: “Earlier this year you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was seven years old.”

The confrontation highlighted a growing concern about the treatment of non-citizen veterans who served in the U.S. military but later faced immigration consequences for criminal convictions. Park’s situation is particularly poignant as his drug possession charges were reportedly linked to PTSD resulting from his military service.

Initially, Noem appeared reluctant to directly acknowledge Park, who was visible on an iPad held up near Magaziner. She began with a general statement: “Sir, I’m grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws—”

Magaziner interrupted, pressing for a more specific response: “Can you please tell Mr. Park why you deported him? This man took two bullets for our country.”

The congressman also noted the secretary’s administrative authority in such cases, asking, “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?”

Under this direct pressure, Noem committed to reviewing Park’s case, saying, “I will absolutely look at his case.”

According to reports, Park was forced to “self-deport” over the summer due to drug possession charges connected to his military-related PTSD. Prior to his departure, Park expressed his disbelief to NPR: “I can’t believe that this is happening in America. That blows me away, like a country that I fought for.”

The hearing didn’t stop with Park’s case. Magaziner also introduced another veteran whose wife had been deported, further highlighting immigration policies affecting military families.

This exchange comes amid ongoing national debates about immigration enforcement priorities and the special consideration that might be warranted for those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Veterans’ advocacy groups have long argued that those who risk their lives in military service should receive particular consideration in immigration matters, especially when post-service challenges like PTSD are factors in subsequent legal issues.

The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum regarding its deportation policies, with some arguing for stricter enforcement and others calling for more humanitarian considerations, particularly for veterans and their families.