Marlon Parris, a US Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, is detained by ICE despite receiving a letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2016 stating they weren't pursuing deportation proceedings. This occurred after he served time for felony conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Two days after President Trump's re-election, Parris was arrested by ICE. His wife, Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, is fighting for his release, questioning why ICE is pursuing deportation now after previous assurances.
Parris's case is not unique. Many veterans face similar situations, highlighting the challenges immigrants face in obtaining citizenship even after military service. The article cites a 2019 Government Accountability Office report which found that ICE doesn't consistently follow its own policies regarding veterans' cases and lacks data on deported veterans.
The article also features the experiences of other deported veterans, such as Alex Murillo and Hector Barajas, illustrating the difficulty of readjusting to life after deportation. Even after being granted US citizenship, Barajas encountered housing challenges due to lack of credit history.
Parris's case highlights the inconsistent application of immigration laws and policies. While initiatives such as the Biden administration's executive order aid deported veterans' repatriation, their progress is hampered and deportations still occur.