Veterans at Risk: The Struggles of Non-Citizen Service Members

Tue Sep 30 2025 04:51:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Many U.S. military veterans face the threat of deportation due to harsh immigration policies, despite their dedication to service. Julio Torres, a veteran pastor, shares his fears and hopes as legislation aims to protect veterans facing immigration challenges.

Julio Torres, a 44-year-old U.S. military veteran, fears deportation despite his service, as shifting immigration policies raise concerns for non-citizen veterans. With over 100,000 veterans without citizenship in the U.S., new bipartisan legislation aims to offer them a chance for lawful status amid heightened ICE enforcement. Torres hopes that the focus on veterans' rights can shift the debate away from the polarized immigration politics, emphasizing their contributions to national security.

After serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, Julio Torres bears tattoos of the American flag and Marine Corps insignia as symbols of his pride. However, following his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction, Torres has found purpose as a pastor, helping others facing similar challenges.

Yet in today's climate, the 44-year-old's community in East Texas feels less like the land of the free. With the current administration emphasizing mass deportation, Torres, a legal resident since the age of five, lives in fear of being uprooted, especially after experiencing detention by immigration authorities.

“I fought for this nation to raise my children in this nation, and now I have to pull my children out if I get deported. What did I fight for?” Torres lamented.

He is not alone. Estimates suggest over 100,000 military veterans in the U.S. lack citizenship, facing increased risks under aggressive immigration policies. These policies overshadow the traditional path to citizenship through military service that recruiters often promise.

In Congress, Democrats are raising concerns over the alarming number of veterans at risk of deportation. A newly introduced bipartisan bill seeks to allow immigrants with military service to apply for lawful status, aiming to provide necessary protections amidst the current tensions.

Torres recalls the anger that bubbled up during his detention at a Texas immigration center, questioning why a nation he served would seek to expel him. Although released after five days, the experience heightened his anxiety and exacerbated his PTSD.

“I’m still angry that I don’t have the liberty to go to the store with my kids because I’m afraid of ICE stopping me,” he expressed.

This fear is echoed among other deported veterans. David Bariu, who served multiple branches of the military, faced his own struggles after being deported to Kenya for a visa issue related to his enlistment. Living under the threat of local terrorist organizations, he emphasized the danger veterans face when expelled from the U.S. with no support.

The complex path to U.S. citizenship for service members often becomes fraught with obstacles as they transition between duties. Proposals to streamline this process are being debated in light of Trump's rollback of immigration access for veterans.

As political tensions rise, Torres maintains hope for a bipartisan solution that recognizes veterans' sacrifices. “This is about a veteran. I love my nation,” he declares, asserting his commitment to his homeland despite the legal uncertainties encircling him.