U.S. veterans deported after they served

"Just south of the U.S.-Mexico border in Rosarito, a contingent of about a dozen veterans who call themselves the "Banished Veterans" are lobbying to change an immigration act that allows legal residents who commit certain crimes to be deported, despite his or her military service. The group has launched a website, Facebook page and created a network of advocates and attorneys who provide legal and emotional support to U.S. veterans who face deportation. "What is happening in these cases is so unjust, so unfair and so outrageous," said Craig R. Shagin, an immigration lawyer in Pennsylvania who represents deported U.S. veterans. "It's not about being nice to a guy. It's about realizing that because of what he did, he is an American. ... He wore the uniform." Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say they don't take the decision to deport a veteran lightly. Deportable offenses can range from murder or domestic violence to cashing a wrong check or drug possession. If a veteran is to be removed, it has to be authorized by the senior leadership, ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said." - Cindy Carcamo, Orange County Register, Feb. 9, 2012.