Immigrants contribute to the United States in diverse ways. Some arrive as entrepreneurs and start small- and medium-size businesses that provide jobs to their communities. Others are joined by their families and, by supporting them, invest in education and the economy. And yet others contribute to the United States by supporting their families while their partners serve in the U.S. army.
This population of immigrants whose spouses serve in the military is often overlooked. Brave New Foundation has just released a documentary series, "In Their Boots," highlighting the challenges that service members and their families face coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Episode 5 of this series, "Second Battle," tells the stories of the wives of two U.S. service members who are facing deportation despite their husbands' contributions. Check out the trailer for the episode:
It is hard to believe that these women could face deportation after making such sacrifices. To learn more about the system that would deport these women, check back here on Friday for the next post in the blog series "Stories from Detention."
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This is really a sad story. I think there should be some sort of way to protect women who are married to soldiers; maybe there could be some sort of fast-track to citizenship (or permanent resident status) for them.
ReplyDeleteThe military asks a lot of those who serve and of their spouses. Trying to deport spouses of vets sounds like a slap in the face for those who put their life on the line for this country.
I read a similar story online about a woman from another country who was married to a soldier in a proxy marriage, because he was serving in the Middle East. While waiting for her husband to return home from war, she was allowed to live in the U.S. with her in-laws. Before they could have another ceremony face-to-face, the soldier was killed. The U.S. is trying to deport her and her son (with her deceased husband) back to the country where she was born. The U.S. government is taking the position that since they were married in a proxy marriage, it was not a real marriage.
Thank you for shedding light on an important issue.