Banned From America: US Veterans Deported to Mexico Want Opportunity to Come Home Griselda Nevarez - VOXXI
go to original May 12, 2013

They served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces, but now, they're banned from the United States after being deported. One former U.S. Army paratrooper in Rosarito Beach, Mexico is working to help banished veterans get back into the USA. (CBS 8)

Fabian Rebolledo still finds it hard to believe that he may never be allowed to enter the United States, a country he fought for when he served in the U.S. Army. He was deported last year.

“I was deported to Mexico, a country I don’t know, without any clothing, money or a place to go,” said the 37-year-old veteran who had been living in the U.S. since he was 13 years old.

Deported veteran desired to become an American soldier

Rebolledo became interested in joining in the military in 1994, the same year he became a permanent resident through a petition his father filed to adjust his immigration status.

“I started to think like a real American,” he told VOXXI, describing how he felt before enlisting. “Growing in my heart and my mind was the hope that at least one member of my family could become an American soldier.”

Rebolledo was 23 years old when he enlisted in the Army in 1997 and served as a paratrooper. He had just gotten married in 1999 when he was sent to Kosovo where he served for a few months. In 2000, he was honorably discharged and began working in construction.

Four years later, he received a letter in the mail, notifying him that he had to renew his residency card. He was confused because a military recruiter had told him that serving in the military would automatically lead to U.S. citizenship. He applied for citizenship but was denied due to probation for a previous DUI.

Then, in May 2007, Rebolledo was detained and charged with fraud for attempting to cash a $750 check he said he got for doing a stucco job. He showed the judge proof of the job, but was given probation.

He was arrested again three months later, this time for driving with a suspended driver’s license. After serving more than eight months in prison, he was released and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I stood before the Immigration judge and told him that I am a U.S. veteran, but my service didn’t matter to him,” he said.

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