Ashley's Memory Project

The Ashley's Memory Project has been advocating for deported veterans, veterans who face deportation and the family members of veterans for two years. There are over 3000 US veterans who have already been deported and many more are currently in deportation proceedings. There are also thousands of spouses and family members of veterans who face deportation. Ashley Sietsema died defending the US in Kuwait in 2007. Her father, Alberto, is currently in deportation proceedings. Her mother, Olivia, along with veterans Manuel Valenzuela, Valente Valenzuela, Cesar Lopez and others along with LULAC Pilsen #5294 and Familia Latina Unida will travel to Washington DC January 4-6 2017 to lobby and rally for President Obama to end this great injustice of our brave veterans. Our special focus will be Army veteran Miguel Perez Jr. who faces deportation in February if nothing is done to close his case. Miguel served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and came home with a brain injury and severe PTSD. He was convicted of a non violent drug crime and has served his sentence in prison and has also rehabilitated himself. Now, the US government wants to deport him. We believe Miguel and all veterans and their families deserve to live in the country they bravely served at home with their families. They have risked and sacrificed so much for us, it is only just for us to defend them now when they face the injustice of being deported. Currently, the only way a deported veteran can return to the US is in a coffin for a military burial.

This fundraiser is to house all veterans who join us in Washington DC Jan 4-6th. We want as many veterans there as possible but are expecting a group of about 10 veterans who will need housing and other miscellaneous costs.