WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding answers regarding the administration’s deportation of veterans and servicemembers, including an Iraq War veteran detained by ICE in Arizona’s Third District.
“Our veterans are the most patriotic Americans. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not abandoned by an administration that turns their backs on their sacrifice,” said Rep. Ansari. “I am demanding answers from Donald Trump and his cabinet who have allowed and encouraged this betrayal of the men and women who risked everything for us all in service of a cruel and chaotic plan of mass deportation.”
SUPPORT FOR ANSARI’S LETTER
Ansari’s letter was consigned by Representatives Danny Davis (IL-07), André Carson (IN-07), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Seth Moulton (MA-06).
The letter also received support from the Arizona Faith Network and Common Defense.
“As the Organizing Director for Common Defense, I speak on behalf of veterans across this country who know that service to this nation should never result in exile. Deported veterans are not disposable. They took an oath, wore the uniform, and bled for a country that has turned its back on them. We call on leadership to act with urgency and moral clarity—restore their status, return them home, and pass legislation that ensures no veteran is ever deported again. Justice delayed is betrayal prolonged,” said Jojo Sweatt, National Organizing Director for Common Defense.
“Deporting veterans is a betrayal of the very values they risked their lives to defend. At Arizona Faith Network, we believe honoring their service means ensuring due process, dignity, and the right to remain in the country they’ve called home. We are proud to stand with Rep. Ansari in demanding justice and accountability," said Rev. Katie Sexton, Executive Director at Arizona Faith Network.
Read Ansari’s letter HERE and below.
Dear Secretaries Hegseth, Collins, and Noem,
We are writing to express profound concern regarding the deportation of veterans and servicemembers who have and are honorably serving in the United States Armed Forces. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to our nation through their military service, and the prospect of their removal from the country they swore to defend raises serious questions about our nation's obligations and values.
Some estimates state that the number of deported veterans is over 10,000 individuals or even higher. To better understand the scope of this issue and to ensure our government is fulfilling its sacred responsibilities to our veterans, we request your responses to the following questions:
- Current Number of Veterans Facing Deportation: What is the estimated number of veterans currently facing deportation proceedings within the United States? Please provide a breakdown of these individuals by their current stage in the legal process (e.g., under investigation, in removal proceedings, with final deportation orders) and in what states they are located.
- Number of Veterans Deported: How many veterans have been deported from the United States since January 20, 2025?
- Assistance for Veterans and Servicemembers in Immigration Cases:What specific policies, programs, or initiatives are currently in place within the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security to assist veterans and servicemembers who are working to gain U.S. citizenship or are facing deportation? Please detail the type of assistance currently being provided, including legal aid, outreach efforts, and coordination between your departments. Additionally, please detail the length of time in service, and tracking and reporting mechanisms to help promote retention.
- Information on Immigration Status During Service: What information is currently being provided to non-citizen recruits and service members regarding their immigration status and potential pathways to citizenship through military service? Please describe the process by which this information is disseminated and at what stages of their military career it is provided.
It is essential that our nation uphold its commitment to the men and women who have and are bravely serving in the armed forces. Understanding the challenges faced by non-citizen veterans in navigating our immigration system and the extent to which they are being deported is crucial for developing effective solutions and ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.
We request a detailed response to these inquiries within 60 days of receipt of this letter. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, AZ-03
Follow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more.
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