The deployment of U.S. military personnel to the southern border is an ineffective and costly use of resources that fails to address the root causes of migration and border security concerns. Rather than enhancing national security, this approach diverts critical military assets from their intended missions, strains defense budgets, and places service members in roles they are neither trained nor appropriately utilized. Furthermore, such deployments risk undermining constitutional protections, particularly the Fourth Amendment rights of immigrants and asylum seekers, which guard against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Military forces are not a sustainable solution for managing immigration policy or border enforcement. Civilian agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are better equipped to handle these responsibilities through targeted personnel, technology, and infrastructure investments. The continued reliance on troop deployments reflects a short-term political strategy rather than a viable long-term solution. In addition, military involvement at the border raises significant legal and ethical concerns, including the potential for violations of due process and protections against warrantless searches under the Fourth Amendment.

Additionally, such deployments impose unnecessary burdens on military personnel, disrupting training schedules and readiness while offering little strategic value. Instead of misallocating defense resources, policymakers should prioritize comprehensive immigration reform, diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries, and enhanced border management strategies that align with humanitarian and security needs while upholding constitutional rights. We strongly oppose the unnecessary deployment of troops to the border and management strategies that don’t align with humanitarian and security needs or uphold constitutional rights. 

We strongly oppose the unnecessary deployment of troops to the border and advocate for effective, sustainable, and fiscally responsible solutions that respect civil liberties and address border security and immigration challenges.

Last month,  6 formerly deported veterans joined members of the American Legion Post 354 in Buena Park gathered to unveil a mural of their fellow deported veterans. The room was filled to capacity with US Congressman Lou Correa and the entire Buena Park City Council in attendance among other officials in attendance. Their goal was to bring awareness to the issue that over 40,000 US active duty service members are currently vulnerable to deportation. Also, US veterans who have served honorable have already been deported and await humanitarian paroles so they can return to their families. The group is heavily promoting the re-introduction of the last congressional session’s  bill HR 4569 which would end the practice of  military deportations by allowing for the process of obtaining citizenship to begin during basic training.

THE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND MURAL PROJECT

A mural project supporting and bringing awareness of deported veterans across the globe. Since 1996 over 1,000 honorable discharged non-citizen veterans have been deported.  All of them were here legally with green cards. It’s time to bring them home. Supported by the National Executive Committee of the American Legion. For more information https://leavenoonebehindmuralproject.org

HR 4569 is the Veteran Service Recognition Act, which would protect non-citizen veterans from deportation and ensure that they and their families would still receive the benefits they earned if they are deported and begin the process of obtaining citizenship while in basic training. This bill also expedites the process for naturalization for our non-citizen servicemembers ensuring that no veteran or service members lips through the cracks of our immigrations system.

MFSO Co-Sponsors Film Showing

To mark the anniversary of the disastrous invasion of Iraq, Veterans For Peace presents a virtual screening of What I Want You To Know, an award-winning documentary produced by two veterans who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Military Families Speak Out and Servicemembers for Ceasefire are co-sponsors. Join us and hear the latest analysis from our friend from Veterans for Peace, Matt Ho.

Here’s the trailer for the film. https://www.whatiwantyoutoknow-film.com/about

(MFSO) extends our deepest condolences and unwavering support to the communities of New Orleans and Las Vegas in the wake of these heartbreaking tragedies. The pain and trauma experienced by survivors, families, and first responders echo the profound struggles that military families and veterans know all too well.

As families of service members, we recognize the long-lasting impact of violence and disaster. Survivors of mass violence and natural disasters often face emotional scars that are invisible yet deeply damaging. The fear, helplessness, and grief that arise from such events can trigger or intensify post-traumatic stress (PTS), a condition that many of our veterans and military families confront daily.

Post-traumatic stress is not limited to the battlefield; it is a reality for anyone who has endured life-threatening experiences. In the aftermath of these tragedies, many survivors may experience flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and isolation—symptoms similar to those faced by veterans returning from war. These shared struggles highlight the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and compassionate care for all affected individuals.

MFSO calls on policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to prioritize trauma-informed care and expand mental health resources for survivors of violence and disaster. Just as our veterans require ongoing support for invisible wounds, so too do the countless civilians now burdened by trauma.

Let us unite to support healing and recovery, recognizing that the path forward requires empathy, understanding, and action. No one should have to navigate the lasting effects of trauma alone.

In solidarity,
Military Families Speak Out

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Veterans marching for stopping deportation of veterans during the NY #VeteransDay Parade. #militaryfamiliesspeakout

MFSO and Unified U.S. Deported Veterans have developed a joint petition to President Biden to support deported veterans this Veterans Day

What can you do to support veterans today?

Many people don’t even know that US veterans are being deported! They deserve to come home to their loved ones and to the country for which they were willing to lay down their lives. As president Biden prepares to leave office, the lives of our recently returned veterans are at stake. Now is the time for us to stand up for them before they are forgotten. Sign the petition below to make sure that veterans who have returned are not deported again and that those veterans who are desperately waiting for approval from Homeland Security can finally come home. Let’s stand up for our veterans, this Veterans Day.

Dear President Biden:

We, the undersigned, urge you to sign the 25 pending requests for presidential pardons for those veterans who have returned so that they may remain in the US. We also request that you reach out to Homeland Security to expedite the process for granting humanitarian paroles for those deported US veterans waiting for approval to come home. Please honor the commitments you have made to support all US veterans and ensure that they will all be able to access all of their rightfully earned VA benefits.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

NEXT CALL THE NUMBER BELOW and leave a message for President Biden. Ask him to sign the 25 pending requests for presidential pardons for those veterans who have returned so that they may remain in the US and ask Homeland Security to grant humanitarian paroles for the deported veterans waiting to come home. 202-456-1111

On Sunday, Jan. 28th, 2024 three US Soldiers were killed by a terrorist drone attack on a base (Tower 22) in Jordan near the Syrian border.  The soldiers have been identified as:

1.  Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Carrollton, GA  Age 46

2.  SPC. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Waycross, GA  Age 24

3.  SPC.  Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Savannah, GA  Age 23

More than 30 additional troops were injured and 8 of these service members were evacuated for medical care due to serious injuries.

President Biden is vowing retaliation for the attack on our troops and the loss of our service members.  President Biden added in a statement on January 28, 2024 “These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery, unflinching in their in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country – risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. Have no doubt- we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing”.

The troops attacked in Jordan on Sunday were from the 718 Engineer Company, an Army Reserve Unit out of Fort Moore, GA.  The troops stationed at the Tower 22 Base were part of “Operation Inherent Resolve”, a US and Coalition mission to ensure the defeat of ISIS.

While the drone attack on our troops in Jordan is not directly linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, it is widely known that attacks on US troops have increased substantially since the start of the war on October 7.  To date, there have been more than 160 attacks on US troops reported in the Middle Eastern region since the conflict started.  The US has approximately 300,000 troops scattered across the Middle East and has deployed thousands of additional troops to the region including on warships, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

On Jan 11,2024 two Navy Seals also died during a mission off the Somali Coast, as they were tasked with interdicting weapons headed to Houthis.  These soldiers were 1.  Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers, age 37 and 2.  Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Gage Ingram, age 27.

MFSO also offers condolences to the families and loved ones of these soldiers and we mourn their loss as well.

Our Statement:

Military Families Speak Out Organization offers sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased soldiers and are overwhelmed with sadness. As family members of active military and veterans each of our members cares deeply for all of our troops and knows that this is the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers and military families make for our county. MFSO also wishes a speedy and full recovery for all of the injured in this and other attacks on our ships and bases.

On February 2, 2024 President Biden released this statement in response to the deaths of three American soldiers killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran. “This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces.”

Military Families Speak Out strongly oppose actions that will further jeopardize our soldiers at home and abroad.  We are opposed to engaging in another conflict in the Middle East and urge our leaders to take all precautions necessary to prevent escalation. 

Don Kimball, USAF Veteran, MFSO and Veterans for Peace member summed it up with the following:

“While we grieve with the families of those killed and wounded and will support them in any way we can, we fear more U.S. troop deaths as this country marches towards war with Iran. We call for diplomacy, not bombs to settle our differences.” 

MFSO believes we should honor our fallen troops by doing everything that we can to stop these conflicts and prevent another war.