U.S. Rewards U.S. Serviceman with One Way Ticket to Trinidad
Put forth on August 1, 2007 by XicanoPwr
Posted in Deportation, ICE, Immigration
Anslem Ifill, an immigrant from Trinidad, is Gulf War veteran who severed in the United States Army during the first Gulf War. He is now facing deportation. According to Breakthrough, Ifill, a green card holder, has lived in the United States for 25 years with eight of those years in our military. Anslem, is now being deported to Trinidad
For veterans who escape physical injury, however, there is the mental stress caused by combat. Like so many veterans returning home from combat duty, Anslem Ifill returned home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to Caribbean American News [pdf see page 6]. What was once called “shell shock” or “combat fatigue,” PTSD displays symptoms that include flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, feelings of detachment, irritability, trouble concentrating, emotional outbursts and sleeplessness. The National Center for PTSD states that PTSD is a highly prevalent lifetime disorder.
Its social and economic costs can be devastating. Civilians who suffer from the disorder miss not only work days but also the chance to lead full lives. Almost half the Vietnam veterans with PTSD have been arrested or jailed; Anslem is no different. He has committed a crime and served out his sentence. Instead of being released he was detained for several years and now faces deportation. After September 11th, the law changed and those in the military can apply for citizenship, however this is not the case for military men and women such as Anslem, who served before this time.
This country asks our troops to defend a country that will just as soon disown them, as they would embrace them. Be it civilian, retired, active duty, or veteran - they will eventually hang under an uncaring bureaucratic machine.
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Tags: Anslem Ifill, Deportation, ICE, Immigration, PTSD, War | 
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This is the blog of Edmundo "XicanoPwr" Rocha, a social worker, an activist, freelance writer and founder and editor of The Sanctuary. My interests include: immigration reform, critical race theory and it's interaction with equality/inequality and freedom/oppression as they relate to the experiences of people of color in the Americas.
Para Justicia y Libertad is a Latino-centered political blog focusing on the humanistic perspective of politics, history, and society as they relate to the Latina/o community throughout Texas and the United States.
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And I should be shocked by this - but why???
This is just another example of Republican’s supporting the troops - funny how the bushies now find a LEGAL immigrant to deport -
Just Another PTSD Vet
Obviously the plane ticket is cheaper than treatment. Damn this chickenshit Congress and greedy, EVIL administration! I’m a vet myself (an earlier war) and disabled, taking care of a disabled wife. They’re cutting benefits so far so fast, we may end up looking for a place to plug her oxygen concentrator into on the street. I wish I could so something for this man, my comrade in arms. I will send it to my senator; I can do that much, at least. Besides, I owe him a letter regarding the FISA capitulation. I suggest any other vets in here do the same: call, email or snailmail your reps and senators!
Ian
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