Marine Corps Veteran Denied Entry To US For Citizenship Interview
[ Get a guy to risk his life to defend America, then deny him entry to the country. Way to go, Trump. ]
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran was denied entry into the country to attend his naturalization interview on Monday.
Roman Sabal, an undocumented immigrant and honorably discharged U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was denied by Border Patrol when tried to gain entry to the United States to attend a naturalization interview, according to The Hill.
Originally from Belize, Sabal and his attorney presented themselves at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California, requesting that he be allowed into the country for his citizenship interview in San Diego that same day.
Despite having the authority to allow individuals into the U.S. temporarily for “humanitarian or significant public benefit,” officials at the border turned Sabal away and suggested he take up his issue with the State Department.
The veteran first applied for citizenship in 1995, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, after serving six years with the Marines and another several with the Army Reserves.
Sabal, now 58, joined the Marines using a fake identity document but upon coming clean in boot camp reportedly was told, “Don’t worry about it. You’re a Marine now.”
Years after his honorable discharge, Sabal developed diabetes and returned to Belize to seek alternative treatment from his mother. It was his attempt to re-enter the U.S. that triggered his immigration issues.
Unaware that he was required to attend immigration court and failing to make an appearance, a judge ordered Sabal’s deportation — and he has been unable to enter the U.S. since 2008.
Sabal has two children in the country who are U.S. citizens, as well as a fiance who is also an American citizen.
Now, Sabal and immigration attorney Victoria Starrett are waiting in Mexico to see if the situation can be remedied before they are forced to return to Belize.
A CBP official told the Union-Tribune: “His attorney was notified that he should work with the Department of State to obtain the necessary documents for entry rather than seeking parole from CBP.”[iframe frameborder="0" src="https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-35/html/container.html" i
However, Starrett told the publication that Sabal already tried getting a visa from the State Department but was denied due to the standing deportation order.
“After refusing to allow Sgt. Sabal to enter the U.S. for his citizenship interview this morning, CBP now tries to pass the blame for its shameful treatment of a former U.S. Marine,” Starrett told the Union-Tribune. “Earlier today, CBP told me that ICE — not the Department of State — was responsible. Now apparently they claim it is the Department of State.” |
