Chicago War Veteran Denied Citizenship, Faces Deportation

CHICAGO, IL — Citizenship has been denied for a green card holder and Afghanistan War veteran who served time in prison after a drug conviction. Miguel Perez Jr., 39, has petitioned to be granted citizenship retroactive to when he joined the military in 2001. On Thursday, a judge denied his bid.

Perez left Mexico when he was eight years old, and said he mistakenly thought he became a U.S. citizen when he took an oath to protect the country. Perez served two tours in Afghanistan and suffered a brain injury in an explosion while serving, but has no access to veteran's benefits.

His family said he suffered from PTSD and found it difficult to find work when he returned to Chicago, according to WGN 9. He has two children who are U.S. citizens.

Perez pleaded guilty to a drug charge for giving a laptop containing cocaine to an undercover officer in 2008. He served half of a 15-year prison sentence.

In late January, Perez lost an appeal to remain in the country. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced an immigration relief bill for Perez, who has been detained for months in a Wisconsin immigrant detention center away from his family, awaiting deportation.

Despite all he's been through Perez told the Chicago Tribune he'd defend the U.S. again without hesitation. He told the Tribune the Constitution and laws are worth fighting for.

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