Army vet slated for deportation over drug charges

An immigration judge issued a Chicago Army veteran deportation orders last week, after a drug trafficking conviction.

Chris Bergin, a lawyer for Miguel Perez Jr., told WGN TV Sunday that he will appeal the deportation order.

Perez served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, suffering a brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

{mosads}In February 2010, he was convicted of attempting to sell about two pounds of cocaine.

“What Miguel was charged and did a sentence for was a non-violent drug conviction. He never hurt anyone,” said Emma Lozano of the Lincoln United Methodist Church, according to WGN.

After serving his 7-year jail term, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Perez and deportation proceedings began.

Perez’s family reached out to Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin (D) and Tammy Duckworth (D) for help in granting him retroactive citizenship for his service.

Veterans under deportation procedures usually garner open sympathy from legislators, but Durbin called Perez’s case “complicated.” 

“It’s a complicated case,” he said. “We don’t want dangerous people to remain in this country, but we ought to have our eyes wide open.”

“Here’s a man who risked his life for this country, maybe he can pay his price for what he’s done wrong here, and still get a chance to stay here.”

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) said in a tweet that a veteran facing deportation “isn’t right.” 

This isn’t right –> #Army vet w/ brain injury after 2 tours in #Afghanistan to be deported WGN-TV https://t.co/A9NbvBpzGt #Military #twill

— Luis V. Gutierrez (@RepGutierrez) March 20, 2017

Perez will remain in the United States until his case is resolved, reported WGN.