Dominican Republic Bunker
Donation protected
Veterans have been getting deported since 1996. People from all over the world not only call the United States their home, but served honorably in the military. This campaign is an effort to raise funds in order to establish a virtual Bunker for the Deported Veterans in the Dominican Republic. This undertaking will be led by Hector Barajas (founder and director of the Bunker in Tijuana), Zachery Valdez, and Alfredo Figueroa. Our mission is to raise awareness and support Deported Veterans around the world. It is crucial to not abandon our veterans and ensure they are given the resources and opportunities to succeed post their service.
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Imagine putting your life on the line for a country, but they deport you after your service. Veterans getting deported is one of many injustices in our society, that has been occurring since 1996. People who are valid green card holders have the opportunity to serve in the military in order to expedite their citizenship process. The problem is that the military does not have a program that assists these individuals throughout the process. Many veterans who are legal residents serve honorably and leave the military without having acquired citizenship. Unfortunately, legal residents can be deported and their service to this nation is not enough to change that.
Hector Barajas is a deported Army veteran who served honorably in the 82nd Airborne Division. Like many others, he was not granted citizenship because of two reasons:
1) There is no formal process in the military to guide and facilitate the naturalization of service members who are permanent residents
2) Citizenship is not automatic (unless you die in combat and your next of kin put's in a request).
The process to become a citizen is confusing, intensive, and long. Many soldiers and their chain of command (leaders) do not know where to start and how to finish this process. It is also a heavy burden to bear when you are already tasked with the responsibility to train and protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies. Soldiers like Hector swore an oath, but they were not given that same loyalty by the country they swore to.
Since his deportation, Hector founded and directed the Deported Veterans Support House, “The Bunker” (http://www.deportedveteranssupporthouse.org/). It is a safe house in Tijuana where veterans who have been deported can find resources such as:
1) Clothing (socks, underwear, bras, shirts, etc)
2) Male and female hygiene items (soap, shampoo, razors, etc.)
3) Job connections
4) Information and guidance in applying for VA (veterans affairs) benefits
5) Emotional support through peer groups and counseling
6) Access to computers, internet, and printers
7) Legal Representation through the ACLU
8) Advocacy & Public Awareness
Hector also worked with veterans in Juarez in order to establish a bunker there. Currently, most veterans are deported to Mexico, The Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
You may ask yourself, why were these veterans deported? It is not uncommon for many veterans (regardless of legal status) to experience difficulties adjusting to life outside the military. Veterans may come back home with physical and invisible wounds such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It is because of the difficult time they have adjusting to life outside the military that veterans find themselves committing crimes. These unlawful acts range from misdemeanors to felonies, but most are treated the same when it comes to immigration hearing that lead to a veteran being deported. The consequences for breaking the law has no exception to military members, and we are not advocating for that. Yet, it is all of our duty to provide the resources and opportunity for someone to rehabilitate themselves; these veterans are not given that opportunity. Once a veteran served their sentence, they are deported back to a country they never swore allegiance to.
No one should be forsaken and discarded because of a mistake they committed and paid for. This is why our campaign seeks to raise funds for a project that will work alongside veterans in the Dominican Republic. The funds of this campaign will fund a two week long project where Zachery Valdez, Hector Barajas, and Alfredo Figueroa will establish an online Bunker for Deported Veterans in The Dominican Republic. These are our goals:
1) Interview and record the stories of deported veterans.
2) Provide a computer and printer.
3) Provide funds for internet access for a year.
4) Guide veterans through the process of filing for VA benefits
a) Gi Bill
b) Compensation and pension
c) acces to healthcare
5) Facilitate the establishment of a group and facebook page.
6) Continue to gather information on deported veterans for an international database
7) Name, branch of service, years served, etc.
8) Connect with ACLU to review a Veterans’ deportation.
Throughout our military career, our superior officers have instilled in our minds that we never leave a man behind. The end goal is to have everyone come home; it is our duty to advocate and support our servicemembers. We cannot turn our back on them because they risked their life to preserve our freedom. It is our hope that people revisit their stances about immigration and openly discuss what true reform looks like. There is a bill name HR1405 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1405) being proposed now that will help bring some of our brothers and sisters home. We should not rest until everyone is brought home.
Below is a sample that can be used to share this campaign with your family and friends!
Blurb for Fundraiser
*****Copy, paste, and share this message along with the picture of a loved one or friend that served*******
There are veterans who are being Deported! The men and women who risk their life for this country should not be discarded. Veterans who have been deported should be citizens and treated fairly when it comes to punishment and rehabilitation. This is a picture of ________________, and I would have been devastated if they had been deported. This campaign will be the first step in bringing veterans home if every person donates five dollars. Just five dollars! I challenge you (tag people) to donate and share a picture of a loved one who served in the Military. #stopdeportingveterans #deportedveterans #deportedveteranssupporthouse #keepthepromise #immigrationreform
Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/dominicanrepublicbunker
*************************************************************************************************************
Imagine putting your life on the line for a country, but they deport you after your service. Veterans getting deported is one of many injustices in our society, that has been occurring since 1996. People who are valid green card holders have the opportunity to serve in the military in order to expedite their citizenship process. The problem is that the military does not have a program that assists these individuals throughout the process. Many veterans who are legal residents serve honorably and leave the military without having acquired citizenship. Unfortunately, legal residents can be deported and their service to this nation is not enough to change that.
Hector Barajas is a deported Army veteran who served honorably in the 82nd Airborne Division. Like many others, he was not granted citizenship because of two reasons:
1) There is no formal process in the military to guide and facilitate the naturalization of service members who are permanent residents
2) Citizenship is not automatic (unless you die in combat and your next of kin put's in a request).
The process to become a citizen is confusing, intensive, and long. Many soldiers and their chain of command (leaders) do not know where to start and how to finish this process. It is also a heavy burden to bear when you are already tasked with the responsibility to train and protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies. Soldiers like Hector swore an oath, but they were not given that same loyalty by the country they swore to.
Since his deportation, Hector founded and directed the Deported Veterans Support House, “The Bunker” (http://www.deportedveteranssupporthouse.org/). It is a safe house in Tijuana where veterans who have been deported can find resources such as:
1) Clothing (socks, underwear, bras, shirts, etc)
2) Male and female hygiene items (soap, shampoo, razors, etc.)
3) Job connections
4) Information and guidance in applying for VA (veterans affairs) benefits
5) Emotional support through peer groups and counseling
6) Access to computers, internet, and printers
7) Legal Representation through the ACLU
8) Advocacy & Public Awareness
Hector also worked with veterans in Juarez in order to establish a bunker there. Currently, most veterans are deported to Mexico, The Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
You may ask yourself, why were these veterans deported? It is not uncommon for many veterans (regardless of legal status) to experience difficulties adjusting to life outside the military. Veterans may come back home with physical and invisible wounds such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It is because of the difficult time they have adjusting to life outside the military that veterans find themselves committing crimes. These unlawful acts range from misdemeanors to felonies, but most are treated the same when it comes to immigration hearing that lead to a veteran being deported. The consequences for breaking the law has no exception to military members, and we are not advocating for that. Yet, it is all of our duty to provide the resources and opportunity for someone to rehabilitate themselves; these veterans are not given that opportunity. Once a veteran served their sentence, they are deported back to a country they never swore allegiance to.
No one should be forsaken and discarded because of a mistake they committed and paid for. This is why our campaign seeks to raise funds for a project that will work alongside veterans in the Dominican Republic. The funds of this campaign will fund a two week long project where Zachery Valdez, Hector Barajas, and Alfredo Figueroa will establish an online Bunker for Deported Veterans in The Dominican Republic. These are our goals:
1) Interview and record the stories of deported veterans.
2) Provide a computer and printer.
3) Provide funds for internet access for a year.
4) Guide veterans through the process of filing for VA benefits
a) Gi Bill
b) Compensation and pension
c) acces to healthcare
5) Facilitate the establishment of a group and facebook page.
6) Continue to gather information on deported veterans for an international database
7) Name, branch of service, years served, etc.
8) Connect with ACLU to review a Veterans’ deportation.
Throughout our military career, our superior officers have instilled in our minds that we never leave a man behind. The end goal is to have everyone come home; it is our duty to advocate and support our servicemembers. We cannot turn our back on them because they risked their life to preserve our freedom. It is our hope that people revisit their stances about immigration and openly discuss what true reform looks like. There is a bill name HR1405 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1405) being proposed now that will help bring some of our brothers and sisters home. We should not rest until everyone is brought home.
Below is a sample that can be used to share this campaign with your family and friends!
Blurb for Fundraiser
*****Copy, paste, and share this message along with the picture of a loved one or friend that served*******
There are veterans who are being Deported! The men and women who risk their life for this country should not be discarded. Veterans who have been deported should be citizens and treated fairly when it comes to punishment and rehabilitation. This is a picture of ________________, and I would have been devastated if they had been deported. This campaign will be the first step in bringing veterans home if every person donates five dollars. Just five dollars! I challenge you (tag people) to donate and share a picture of a loved one who served in the Military. #stopdeportingveterans #deportedveterans #deportedveteranssupporthouse #keepthepromise #immigrationreform
Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/dominicanrepublicbunker
Organizer
Alfredo Figueroa
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
