U.S. Army Purple Heart veteran forced to self-deport from Hawaii

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According to an article from Hawaii News Now, Sae Joon Park, who served and was wounded in Panama, was told to self-deport or face forced deportation. I am currently working on this issue by trying to get in touch with the family and the reporters from Hawaii News Now for more detailed information.

According to the article, Park received an honorable discharge and settled back in Los Angeles, where he grappled with severe PTSD. To manage nightmares and sensitivity to loud noises, he used marijuana, later relocating to Hawaii in 1995 for a healthier lifestyle. There, he developed an addiction to crack cocaine, facing a prolonged struggle to achieve sobriety.

In 2009, Park was convicted of drug and bail violations, serving two and a half years in prison. Upon release, ICE detained him and canceled his green card. Note that this was under the Obama administration. He challenged deportation in court and, as a Purple Heart recipient, was granted deferred action, allowing him to remain in the U.S. provided he checked in annually and maintained sobriety. Park transformed his life, becoming a devoted father to his two children, now in their 20s, and a caregiver for his elderly parents and aunts, who are in their 80s.

If there is nothing more to this story, I suggest Trump would never allow this to happen to a veteran, regardless of immigration status. After all, Trump is big on giving second chances. Alice Marie Johnson was appointed by President Donald Trump in February 2025 as the White House “Pardon Czar” to advise on clemency decisions for prisoners, effectively overseeing recommendations for second chances through pardons and commutations.

As of March 2025, approximately 45,000 non-citizens serve in the U.S. military, representing 3.5% of the 1.3 million active-duty personnel. These service members risk their lives for the United States, yet many do not pursue citizenship after their service, often due to a lack of awareness or guidance.

To address this, the Department of Defense should implement a proactive program to ensure non-citizen veterans understand the benefits of U.S. citizenship, such as access to veteran services, legal protections, and civic participation. Rather than relying on young veterans to navigate the complex naturalization process alone, the military should:

Provide Post-Service Education: Offer mandatory briefings during the transition process to highlight citizenship benefits and application procedures.
Assign Dedicated Support: Create a liaison role within veteran services to guide non-citizen veterans through naturalization, including assistance with paperwork and legal resources.
Streamline Processes: Partner with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite applications for veterans, leveraging their honorable service.

By taking these steps, the military can honor the contributions of non-citizen service members and prevent issues like deportation risks, ensuring they receive the recognition and security they deserve.