LULAC MOVES ON THE NATION'S CAPITAL TO DEMAND RECOGNITION OF MILITARY SERVICE TO REPATRIATE OUR VETERANS AND TO STOP FURTHER DEPORTATIONS
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Calls on Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to Pass HR 4569, The Veterans Service Recognition Act
October 24, 2023
For more information, contact David Cruz at (818) 689-9991
davidcruz@lulac.org
Washington, DC – On October 24, 2023, LULAC leads, along with other Veteran and civil rights organizations, a congregation of concerned citizens to demand that a divided Congress act on a unifying policy of Recognizing our U.S. Veterans' Service. The Veterans Service Recognition Act (VSRA) provides a pathway for servicemembers to return home and to stop the current and future deportation of immigrant, Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) Status Veterans.
LULAC's National Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to devote resources and energy to overcome the blight upon Veteran's Lives and relieve the seismic pressure their families feel, all of whom have sacrificed to defend our nation. LULAC National President Domingo Garcia stated, "Over the past seven years, we have kept a steady course toward achieving fair and just relief for our Veterans who have been deported, many who have gone untreated for service-connected disabilities, and all whose families have suffered this tragic eventuality. HR 4569 is bi-partisan legislation that the whole of Congress must pass to finally turn off the faucet of deportations and end families' strife. It is Right and Just." LULAC National Vice Presidents for the Far-West and Far-East Regions, Jose Barerra and James Fukuda, respectively, championed the National Board Vote; "We must assure that all of our servicemembers are provided with all of the benefits and opportunities afforded to them under law and regulations," both agreed.
The U.S. Military comprises an all-volunteer force of U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) Status. LULAC's Military and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chair, Danitza James, an Army Combat Veteran, former LPR, and CEO of Repatriate Our Patriots, stated, "Each member serves side-by-side, having each other's back, without regard to citizen status. The military has an expedited legal path to citizenship for LPR-status members that the DoD has not followed. Policy and legislation are the ways to get to Repatriation and Prevention. Congress must act."
A film screening for Bring Them Home, by Rob Young, will be held at 6 p.m. on October 24, 2023, at Bus Boys and Poets, 450 K. St., NW, Washington DC 20001. The press is invited to attend.
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