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It is estimated that about 1,000 veterans must live in other countries, because they do not have United States citizenship, but that could change with the new program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership with the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, to benefit these immigrants and their families.
The Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative (IMMVI), DHS will host a comprehensive online center – at dhs.gov/immvets – so that these immigrants have access to federal resources and can apply for their return to the United States, among other benefits.
“As part of the resource center, DHS has also created a portal for veterans who need assistance to apply to return to the United States or access VA benefits to which they may be entitled,” the President’s Administration said. nte Joe Biden, who had promised efforts in favor of this social group.
Many of deportable veterans provided service to the US and have post-traumatic stress disorder, despite it among 1200 and more of 90 were deported, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office, revealed by Axios.
“These new resources are just the first step in helping support non-citizen service members and their families who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country,” Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We are committed to identifying previously retired veterans to make sure they can get the benefits… access COVID-vaccinations 19 and return to the United States, as appropriate”.
The new system will integrate the services –and the forms to access them– from DHS, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as well as other agencies.
Latinos are one of the groups that most would benefit, as they are the fastest growing population in the military and currently represent the 16 % of all active duty military, according to the Department of Defense, but there is no data on how many are immigrants and non-citizens, but it indicates that almost 1 in 4 marines today is Hispanic.
The new portal will provide retired veterans with a simple and fast way to get on contact the authorities, for help with any questions or problems you may have as you seek to return to the United States or access your benefits.
The Biden Administration indicated that these benefits had already been granted, but to “dozens of veterans”, but not under the comprehensive system, which was easier to navigate.
“U.S. DHS offices and agencies continue to actively review policies for persons with military associations to determine how best to meet the commitments made in this initiative,” it added.