The story of a Florida veteran denied US citizenship attracts nationwide attention

[@arizwebfoot]

As a Marine, I am disgusted at this. He should have gotten his naturalization papers when his enlistment was over, pure and simple.

[@brianfox8126]

shoulda come with his DD214, release from service.

[@williamwilson6499]

He knew the rules. It’s his own fault he’s having troubles.

[@wdwerker]

@@williamwilson6499he was misled ! Military Recruiters should be held accountable!

[@shalehausler4383]

If you serve this country. If you're willing to die for our country, you should be a citizen, Plain and simple!

[@KingAlphaOmega]

This happens when a radical leftist is the president

[@glbernini0]

ARE YOU GUYS SAYING RECRUITERS MAY HAVE "STRETCHED THE TRUTH" WHILE SIGNING SOLDIERS UP???

[@brianfox8126]

no, no, no....never believe it.....musta been a hex. None of our fine recruiters, also called meat butchers by the familiar would stoop to such lows. Like giving a man his school in the last six months of his sentence, er enlistment.

[@denniscarver7681]

No people from our hemisphere may swear into Armed forces. While serving take the required classes for citizenship. Been going on for well at least 70's if they party put it off they may be deported.

[@Epicfunk]

That recruiter is evil!

[@BigDawg87]

He's a Marine, not a soldier.

[@UrsaMajorPrime]

​@@BigDawg87Clicked in to say this 🤛

[@robinbabcock4620]

There are no “former” Marines. Once a Marine, always a Marine. ❤️🇺🇸❤️

[@panaderofilms]

Tell that to Leonard Lawrence...

[@josephhodges9819]

I know many who lost the right to call themselves Marines. I do not like that you all consider yourselves better than other veterans and you all know that you do.

[@d.b.1176]

Yup, unless you get booted from the Corps.

[@winzyl9546]

​@BabyGirlDontEvenPlaysays who? He was willing to die and serve for the country, he is not an illegal immigrant.

[@michaelmitchell2243]

@robinbabcock4620 you are correct but he is a marine who has citizenship in another country period ...he was just a lazy marine that didn't do his paper work. Now he wants to cry ....

[@YouTube_OG]

He is more American than most most people I know in this country. This is a shame.

[@tommas2674]

going to defend other countries citizens and or trying to stand up to subversives and extortionist propagandas here.

[@JohnW9012]

I totally agree with you, and it is a damn shame what American government does to people who perform the ultimate service for the country. My two uncles served in Vietnam and neither were citizens. One was killed in Nam. My two cousins and I initially served on active duty as non citizens. I got my citizenship after 6 yrs into my 10 year enlistment. They also got theirs during their enlistments, and they both served in the two gulf wars. We have done more for America than most people who were born in America. I remember when I took my citizenship written exam, and after I got my score of 100, the proctor who was a US citizen told me that she had difficulty passing the same exam several times. Some people like to call themselves patritots when it suits them, but have never done a damn thing for America.

[@9sheri9]

Agreed 💯

[@user-th4ri8dt9s]

When you sign up to the army or whatever branch as a foreigner in order to expedite your citizenship during a time when there is no wars, you are making it more of a burden on tax paying American citizens to both pay him a wage which he would have not gotten without a greencard, or any visa, and VA benefits as well as their future children's benefits towards college. This is not something that we can freely give away and is a huge reason on why our debt is so high even if its only '1 guy.

[@ronlacker326]

We don't need more potential white supremacists in our country.

[@storozhevoy75]

Son of a veteran here. The fact that the government just uses our men and women in uniform and cast them aside disgusts me, but the fact that this man enlisted on a promise and was denied that on a technicality boils my blood.

[@tommas2674]

my word they have their own hospitals...

[@storozhevoy75]

@@tommas2674 And they don't help the people they're supposed to help. They didn't do anything while my father was in pain. He just kept going there, tell them his knees hurt, take x-rays, and tell him nothing was wrong. REPEATEDLY!

[@blazingbattlehawk9626]

@storozhevoy75 This is why the military need an extreme downsize.

[@storozhevoy75]

@@blazingbattlehawk9626 Among so many other things.

[@yeoynberry3454]

@@tommas2674that is super slow and doesn’t always help those in need. My dad goes for eye care and always has issues with prescriptions.

[@sharontahir9694]

Disgusting way to treat a Marine.

[@lalodaniels1388]

He's an illegal immigrant.

[@lpk6372]

But he is an illegal? Isn't that what your right talks about all the time

[@nunzionapoli6325]

@@lpk6372He was never illegal Einstein. He is a legal resident but not a US citizen. The ignorance is alarming.

[@fromhigherground4272]

@@nunzionapoli6325are you always so condescending?

[@fromhigherground4272]

He is nothing by a soldier of fortune, signing up on the promise of naturalisation to go out and kill other humans.

[@wmpmacm]

If he served in. the US military honorably, he should be given citizenship regardless. He earned it. Tennessee is lame.

[@blkmacster]

No disrespect, but it appears that he is in Florida.

[@wmpmacm]

@@blkmacster Florida is lame, as well.

[@mikebritcom3171]

Since when is US citizenship granted by states? It's a federal issue. What state he happens to reside in has no bearing. Nice try, though.

[@francismarion6400]

States don't decide citizenship. The dementia in chief does.

[@blkmacster]

@@wmpmacm Can't argue that.

[@surgezoom7079]

Disgusting. This has been happening for decades in the military. Not long ago, there was a Marine deported to Mexico. What a disgrace.

[@joebaretta151]

😮 Give the man his citizenship he put his life on the line for his country and that’s how you repay him…

[@rspcoach619]

So did so many minorities where who were already deported. Now it matters because he's white. The state dept is separate from the DOD. It's his job and responsibility to apply with immigration. Another entitled white guy. White illegals outnumber minorities yet nobody does anything against them.

[@user-zu5do6ri6r]

I don't recall the military taking up arms against the tyrants in DC. He didn't put his life on the line for this country. He was in the military, they fight for the Tyrants.

[@tflg3257]

@joebaretta151 He gets nothing if he doesn't file for it.

[@MrWhitmen1981]

He broke the law he is an illegal.

[@robertbelow4339]

The man served our country and was promised u.s. citizenship after se rving our country, make it so!!!

[@pallidustigris]

As a retired Army 1SG, what this U.S. Marine is going through is a shame and turns my stomach. Maybe he needed a kick in the butt to get the paperwork rolling earlier but using that as an excuse to reject his request for U.S. citizenship is shameful.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

As a Marine he would have needed help. I processed my own paperwork while I was enlisted, but I was Air Force and had my own office computer with internet. Command gave me time-off to get processed and go drive hours away to get Naturalized in another city. I took my sweet time coming back and almost came in late to work the next week lol.

[@tuneyouup]

@@Ryan_Christopherrear area 🤡

[@bobfg3130]

He wasn't told about any necessity to get ANY paperwork DONE.

[@tuneyouup]

@@bobfg3130 du i no speaking english

[@charlieg7073]

When I was wearing green , people shook my hands . Now I’m wearing brown and they want to deport me. This story is not new.

[@6254KLR]

A recruiter lied...imagine that...Same here. 13 years in and no Army College fund at the end of it.

[@panaderofilms]

Sounds like a You problem. Trust the government and you will always be screwed..

[@V.E.R.O.]

You're supposed to sign up for it, if I recall correctly you fill out the form the first day of bootcamp. What you can do is take classes while on active duty and have your tuition paid.

[@RMMomma4Eva]

Don't you get the GI Bill?

[@6254KLR]

@@RMMomma4Eva gi bill is nothing compared to army college fund...

[@RMMomma4Eva]

@@6254KLR Thanks for letting me know!

[@taraaliyeva1813]

This is NOT the only CASE...many have been DEPORTED deny benefits. This is DISGUSTING!

[@andreward8268]

FACTS 💯

[@ArktinenJenkki]

This has happened to tons of Latino soldiers, but it doesn’t make nationwide news.

[@arqenrique]

He deserves his citizenship, but It’s sad that only the white case makes noise.

[@heathercloete7450]

International news. Been watching from South Africa.

[@janemiettinen5176]

Same, from Finland. With disgust.

[@johnwarren9993]

​@@janemiettinen5176same, from Germany. These are the stories that go around the world. They make America look untrustworthy in the eyes of the rest of the world. Why should the world trust the U.S. when all they do is look for loopholes and outs in order to escape fulfilling agreements.

[@JosephineEze79]

@@janemiettinen5176 Can i become a citizen of Finland by assumption?

[@lowellyowell2922]

He served in our military. He is a United States citizen whatsoever. No doubt about it.

[@jonesy4588]

not necessarily

[@tflg3257]

@lowellyowell2922 Not if he didn't file an application for citizenship.

[@panaman16]

@@tflg3257exactly everyone up in arms about this case with out know the facts …is negligence on his part for not applying immediately when he has in service or right after getting discharge , but nooooo. He did just like almost every resident who waits for ever to apply and then cry about it when denied. I serve and was in the same situation he was in, but I did apply for citizenship while I was in service costing me $90 for the process. In the other hand my brother still not a citizen and what is he waiting for …who knows but the application now is $750 I think.

[@benu_bird]

This happened to my Cuban hairstylist 30 years ago. Served 4 years in the Army and refused citizenship.

[@Anhedonis]

Exactly! This happens all the time. Why all the attention now?

[@MuzzaHukka]

Wouldn't he have become a US citizen the moment he landed on US soil?

[@benu_bird]

@@MuzzaHukka You are talking about the old "wet foot/dry foot" policy. No, if you escaped Cuba, and landed on dry land, you were automatically granted ASYLUM, not citizenship (if you were caught at sea, you were returned to Cuba). No one automatically gets that. And he immigrated legally from Cuba as a child with his family, not a refugee. My family came from Cuba in the 50s. Got Green Cards-that's it (my mother never became a US citizen). The closest thing to automatic citizenship I've ever seen was a close friend whose father had been a colonel in the South Vietnamese army. When they finally got to the US, a senator got them citizenship through an act of Congress.

[@JaySR56789]

Funny thing - I was approached by an Army recruiter at a bus stand to join the Army like 2 years ago. I am 6ft tall with an athletic body. He was in uniform along with his colleague. I was skeptical at first thinking it was a scam of some kind but within minutes, I realized he was genuine. I couldn’t believe it 😂 Although I have no interest in joining the armed forces due to the very low pay, he did offer me help with citizenship saying ‘people who join any armed force organization’ get their citizenship very quickly 😂

[@meganharris583]

@@el_bino_burrito_695THIS PART!!!

[@maryjanerod7226]

My father was immigrant from Mexico as a 5 yrs old went into army WW2 and was granted citizen when he came home. Blessings to you Mr.Canton. ❤🇺🇸🇺🇸 thank you for your service.❤

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Poor guy just doesn't have the right connections. I've heard of people getting U.S. citizenship for doing less. From one veteran to another, thank you for your service.

[@jeb1273]

Melania and her parents.

[@MomMom4Cubs]

​@@jeb1273Melania provided FULL service, not military service. That sure meets the "far less" mentioned in the original comment.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

Connections can still mean absolutely nothing. Moistcritikal had literally the entirety of EA's legal team backing him to let his Apex Legends players get a work visa to play in-person in America, and the person assigned to their case doesn't believe their reasoning at all. Yes, one of the biggest gaming companies IN AMERICA telling the immigration officer that they deserve to be able to do their job and they get arbitrarily denied. I'm not at all surprised they treat former Marines like shit. These immigration people are entirely un-American and deserve deporting themselves.

[@Uncommonsenses]

I worked with a man whose parents were Polish refugees who made it to America after WWII. He was born in the US but they never properly registered him. He was stateless. He fought in Vietnam on the promise from an Army recruiter that he would get his citizenship in return. It never happened. They cut him off and he lived the rest of his life working cash jobs and being technically illegal in the country of his birth.

[@boink800]

If you're born in the US, you are (almost) automatically an US citizen

[@Uncommonsenses]

@@boink800 not if you are born at home to parents who are too afraid to register your birth.

[@boink800]

@@Uncommonsenses The US birth certificate is proof of your US citizenship

[@jryland6]

IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!!! AND HE’S NOT THE ONLY ONE, EVEN IN WWII, VIETNAM ETC, IT’S HAPPENED. MAYBE NOW ALL WILL GET THEIR DUE!!! SHAME ON OUR GOVERNMENT.

[@Jamesssssssssssssss]

The US immigration system is broken. I moved here when I was 5 years old and I was not a citizen until I was 21. How are you going to deny someone who risked their lives for freedom their citizenship? This is a country made of immigrants. It's our strength

[@medusagorgon8432]

This happened to another gentleman who is 77. Born to 2 American parents in Canada. After his birth his parents traveled back to the US. He tried to renew his driver's license and they told him he was not an American citizen. This after living in America all his life, serving in the military, paying taxes for decades etc! It's ridiculous!

[@JosephineEze79]

It's not. You have to get a consular report of birth if you have a child in a foreign country. A foreign birth certificate is not proof of citizenship.

[@lizlee6290]

@@JosephineEze79 Could you be missing the point? It seems so. Are you a government bureaucrat?

[@JosephineEze79]

@@lizlee6290 Lol, no I'm an immigrant, living in the US. If there was a bar exam just for US immigration law, I would pass it, because I've studied these laws for over a decade. I've also helped so many ppl legally migrate to this country, so I know what I'm talking about. There is a list of documents that are accepted to prove us citizenship. A foreign birth certificate is not. Imagine if ppl all over the world start showing up in the US claiming to be US citizens because their birth certificate said so. A consular report of birth is for foreign-born Americans and you MUST get this for your child if they were born aboard. It's a very strenuous process too because they have to verify that at least 1 of the parent is American. Argue with the lawmakers if you want to change this, not me.

[@Emyrtemoc]

It's called the child citizen act. He has to claim his US citizenship before turning 18. Looks like he never did anything and assumes he was automatically an US citizen.

[@RMMomma4Eva]

@@JosephineEze79 Can the guy still get the consular report now, since his parents were both American, even though they didn't get it at the time?

[@ctjk1982]

so the us government tells people. that if they join the armed forces that it is one sure way to get US citizenship. one person did that exact thing to get their US citizenship and is being told no. can someone remind me again of all the reasons why the armed forces recruitment levels are so low again. cause there seems to be more and more reasons why that is.

[@srivkind12]

There is no guarantee that you will become a citizen just because you applied to be one. Armed Forces have never guaranteed citizenship if you serve. The only thing they say is that instead of waiting 5 years is that you may only have to wait for a year. The best thing that anyone who is serving or plans on serving that is not a US citizen is to go to the USCIS website and see what the policy is currently and then check again before you apply to see if it is different. Guidelines or policies change all the time often without any previous notifications that its going to happen.

[@morrismonet3554]

@@srivkind12 During the Iraq war people were told they would get citizenship. My son went through basic training with several Philipinos who were told exactly that.

[@fjavier2mj]

@@srivkind12 You don't know what are talking about. Sorry, please read more

[@srivkind12]

@@fjavier2mj Kind of sure I do but whatever. It's not like I'm a veteran who worked with people who got their citizenship after serving. :)

[@nancimiller6850]

Are you kidding me?!? This guy fought for our country, of course he should be a citizen. We have a free for all situation happening at our borders now. We are letting in whomever wants to come to the US w/o checking who they are or what their history is, but immigration won't give this guy citizenship? WTF? I say he has earned it!

[@BufordDuckworth]

Follow the law, come here legally, and there's no issue. This guy needs deported.

[@Greatday68]

@@BufordDuckworth How did he not follow the law or came here illegally? Joining the US military was once a way for immigrants to become US citizens. And that is what a military recruiter told him, it's not like the guy snuck into the country like what we are seeing today.

[@BufordDuckworth]

@@Greatday68 He obviously didn't do it right or he would be a citizen, now wouldn't he?

[@OistheOne]

Ther are plenty of stories of people that have been let down by immigration or even for example, social security.

[@Kaybabes1968]

​@@BufordDuckworthbut the countless illegals who come here and kill rob and rpe get to stay? Wow

[@SkinnyCow.]

but 100,000 illegals a month walking over the southern border is ok, but a man who fights for the country is told no.

[@phillipmoore6249]

Source? You have no proof 100K humans are crossing each month.

[@francismarion6400]

​@@phillipmoore6249There's the proof you are a traitor from your own hand.

[@phillipmoore6249]

@@francismarion6400 what’s a traitor from your own hand ?

[@francismarion6400]

@phillipmoore6249 Look at NYC you troll.

[@ranew33]

Okay so with that argument… if we make illegal immigrant join the military they serve minimum 4 years you are okay with giving them citizenship?

[@henm4975]

im also a USMC veteran that has been denied citizenship apparently. i came to find out I am not a citizen about a year ago when trying to get a new SSN card. I been denied jobs because of this, I went trough the whole thing even the ceremony and got a naturalization certificate. I filed A FOI request with immigration to see what my status is, my case number doesnt show up online, I came here legal with a green card

[@RMMomma4Eva]

Don't give up, get a free immigration lawyer to help you straighten this out.

[@boink800]

If you have your US Citizenship Certificate, that means you are an US citizen

[@henm4975]

@@boink800 YOU WOULD THINK. SSN doesnt think so, so i cant get a job. they wouldnt tell me my status over the phone so i had to file a FOIA to find out what I am now. it makes no sense why they wouldnt just tell me. I cant go to a branch because there are no options to choose from over the phone that match my situation and they wont let me walk in with an appointment. they do reach out for taxes though

[@henm4975]

@@boink800 ive look myself up with the info on the certificate and nothings shows up.

[@gfexc]

Obviously you never went through the naturalization process. You thought it was going to happen automatically without you signing any documents or taking the citizenship test? What gave you that idea.

[@DRventura333]

Similar as in the late 1800s, during Civil War; many Irish immigrants and former "freed" slaves were promised Citizenship and land if they fought for America. Didn't end up well for many of them.

[@V.E.R.O.]

Before I joined the Navy I was told, don't take the recruiter's word for it, if it's not in the contract it didn't happen. He deserves citizenship though.

[@Ivan-cr3vc]

A friend I used to work with from the Czech Republic gained citizenship by serving in the US Army.

[@9sheri9]

He did more for our country than most natural born citizens will ever do. Give him his citizenship!

[@Nobody00tot]

The USMC should not turned their backs in helping their fellow Marines. So sad this happens.

[@gusespe4458]

This is so disrespectful in more ways than one !!!!!

[@InTheWind_]

International news - watching this from Scotland. I am a US Navy veteran and American citizen. This man is an American 100% !

[@jeremyhenderlight4436]

If he served in any capacity, most especially if he voluntarily enlisted, he's earned citizenship period.!!! Damn government playing with people

[@user-zu5do6ri6r]

He didn't serve the country. He was in the military.

[@dgtheone]

I am not American and don’t live in America but even I find this disgusting to treat your veterans this way.

[@davidsmith7962]

This is so messed up. This man is a US Solider.

[@CDLCDL702]

“Do it the right way” “come legally” lol all the Americans finally realizing now why that shit dont work is funny to see

[@atgn-0088]

We need to do better... a lot better as a country. We should not be deporting anyone who has an honorable DD-214.

[@JohnCampos-uw1rh]

I sincerely hope this Marine gets his citizenship for honorably serving our country. But you have to go through the proper channels and make sure your paperwork is squared away, seems like he didn’t follow up with that when he was discharged. Same thing as all the other veterans whining about the VA treating them unfairly. Your platoon daddy is no longer there to hold your hand when you’re discharged. You (or your family members for severely disabled/wounded vets) must take the initiative to get the benefits you earned. There are hundreds of veterans advocacy groups ready and willing to help us when our time in service ends.

[@mikebritcom3171]

Right. He didn't bother to acquire legal citizenship and it wasn't an issue with him until his driver's license was denied due to the new federal mandated "Real ID" laws.

[@veramae4098]

Your both idiots. He was told it was part of the deal for enlisting. Nobody detailed out, and I don't remember the terms used, that he had to serve during danger. He believed the recruiter. If you don't believe people at least sometime, you end up wrapping YOURSELF in paperwork.

[@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871]

@@mikebritcom3171 He probably thought that the Military dept. would process his citizenship automatically. First of all, he must have overstayed his US tourist visa from NZ, didn't go back to NZ, became illegal, went to military in the hope of altering his immigration status. But that's not how it works, there is certain condition in which you can be considered for citizenship if there is active war the US is involved. Be joined the military when the war was over.

[@mikebritcom3171]

@@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871 Nothing is done automatically. He was aware he didn't have official citizenship. How can you not be? It only became an issue for him when his driver's license renewal was denied due to the new federally-mandated "Real ID" laws going into effect. Now he's playing stupid, which is why Bilirakis' office hasn't decided on whether to pursue it on his behalf or not. Just qualifying doesn't make it legal. You have to go through the process. He chose not to. I know a British lady that is going through the same thing. She was married to a now-deceased American (active-duty Air Force) and living in the US for over 50 years. At the time she arrived in order to obtain US citizenship she would have had to renounce her UK citizenship, which she did not want to do. Her choice. So she never bothered with it. Now she can't get her license renewed either. Oh well, she shouldn't be driving anyway.

[@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871]

@@mikebritcom3171 Make sense amigo.

[@daviddruggish271]

But if he was an illegal immigrant hed get better treatment. Another case of our government turning their backs on veterans. The man served he should be granted his citizenship as offered.

[@jrm371]

Oh please. Not true at all. Get a grip. He should be granted citizenship because he’s been here all his life. Serving in the military shouldn’t give one special privileges.

[@Darth_Traitorous]

​​@@jrm371this is a policy in the military, military service guarantees citizenship they've been doing this for years longer than starship troopers has been a movie. More than 148,000 immigrants have served and earned citizenship through the military in the last 20 years. Over the last century, military service has provided a pathway to American citizenship for more than 760,000 immigrant service members. Check your privilege before you bad mouth those who wanted to leave countries that did not give them opportunities. We are the nation of immigrants.

[@srivkind12]

@@Darth_Traitorous Unfortunately, military service does not guarantee citizenship. USCIS can and has denied citizenship depending on the individual circumstances.

[@Darth_Traitorous]

@@srivkind12 they have allowed nearly 1 million people in the last hundred years citizenship through military service. I said that. It also says since 2016 we've been on the decline in terms of immigrants searching for citizenship through the military

[@srivkind12]

@@Darth_Traitorous yes unfortunately that is no doubt the case. I think if you look at it closer the people being denied seem to be either Hispanic or from countries such as Haiti. I think if this man was not White Anglo Saxon that neither of these Congressmen or Senators would step in to intercede.

[@orosalsero]

As a retired Army Veteran, I'm disgusted with our government, it doesn't matter if he was in combat or not he answered the call to serve our nation, and served proudly and with honor.

[@Steven-nd3te]

Any person willing to give there life for this country by joining the military should automatically be a U.S. citizen!!

[@lgarcia67]

Are you serious? that guy served and fought for us and for all the same idiots who are denying his citizenship. What an irony...

[@throckwoddle]

He volunteered to fight but didn't actually fight. If he had he wouldn't be having this problem.

[@user-zu5do6ri6r]

When did he fight for us? All he did was join the military. I don't recall the military marching on the tyrants in DC.

[@Justaeuropeanman]

My best friend growing up was a Mexican immigrant brought as a kid to the US. When we turned 19 the Afghanistan war broke out. Him and 2 brothers and 3 of his cousins all which were illegal immigrants brought from Mexico as young children all enlisted in the army and were promised citizenship after their deployment to Afghanistan. My best friend, one of his brothers and 2 cousins never came back. They were killed in action. The 2 other cousins were seriously injured and were honorably discharged due to one of them loosing a leg and the other a hand. After serving they were never given what they were promised, there citizenship which still pisses me off to this day thinking about how all these men have there lives to serve our country in hopes of earning there citizenship for themselves and there families, only for the US government to not honer there promise

[@jamsng]

How they got away with that? Didn't the contract they signed state they would get citizenship

[@Justaeuropeanman]

@@jamsng yes they did. But the US government is notorious for not honoring there contracts. It happened with a lot of Mexican immigrants where they were promised citizenship after serving but over 80% of them never received what they were promised, and it never gained media attention because for some reason so many Americans hate the Mexican people

[@gata_salvaje69]

He is MORE AMERICAN than MOST Americans!!!

[@johnfortune9190]

WOW! That's crazy! He joined the U.S. Military. Did his duty. He should be granted Citizenship! He needs a lawyer!

[@AmericanFlyOnTheWall]

The U.S. government is a mess.

[@redryker3292]

how mean

[@redryker3292]

😢 😭 😿 😢 😭 😿

[@awesomegirl6396]

This is disgusting. He did everything right and even served in the military but yet can’t even get citizenship

[@blkmacster]

"Looking into whether they will advocate on his behalf". Damn, how generous.😐 I'm looking into a lot damn things.😐

[@sharons5714]

That is disgusting. He should be granted immediate citizenship retroactive to his time in the military.

[@sfarooq2540]

That's so shameful

[@j.g.t7006]

Canton, thanks for your service 💪🙏💪

[@cromartie4480]

What happen here? I was always under the impression that one of the ways to citizenship was to serve in the Military, I did serve but was already a citizen. That is how many got citizenship.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

Only since 2003 when GWB signed the Expedited Path to Citizenship Bill for wartime veterans.

[@user-neo71665]

The state of TN is doing the same thing to a like 80 something year old navy vet.

[@Ryan_Christopher]

What is the state doing? Naturalization is a Federal matter.

[@lpk6372]

When you make every immigrant an illegal you tend to not care who you demonize

[@boink800]

That man in TN doesn't have his US Citizenship Certificate. End of story

[@rickI3TrAiN]

When illegal immigrants just cross the border with ease, this gentleman and hero who fought for this country is being denied citizenship. Truly disgusting! Shame Uncle Sam, shame...

[@PrincessNicEssus]

There is a veteran in Tennessee who is going through a similar situation. Father stationed in Canada, mother Canadian he’s born in Canada. He’s a military brat and served in our military lived in the US his whole life but is being denied his drivers license. Yet our southern border is wide open and immigrants are being encouraged to endlessly immigrate. How does this make sense?

[@finn3408]

HE SHOULD HAVE FILLED FOR CITIZENSHIP 30 YEARS AGO.

[@REiiGN15]

Yea...should have listened to all the edgelords on the internet 30 years ago telling him to do this.....he trusted his command. His command trusts the government to do their part. The government failed him, and yes, he'll win his case because they made the most dumb reason why. Immigrants serving in the military expect this, hell, we want this. Who deserves citizenship more than being willing to give your time and possibly life to protect that nation you are serving?

[@KelvinHenderson-dz4uc]

I'm to the point I'm ashamed to call myself an American how it treats its citizens especially our veterans but treats illegals an criminals like they are of high importance... absolute disgrace

[@throckwoddle]

He's technically not a citizen, and is, in legal fact, just as illegal as anyone else who overstays a visa. It is a crappy situation though.

[@bc0601]

If he is not a citizen then he needs to properly paper in. If not it doesn’t matter who you fought for. Period buddy!

[@augggie]

I was a German citizen in the US Army, when I got out of the army, I had to file just like any immigrant has to do, and when my date came up, I had to go before a judge showing I could speak English. He asked me several questions about our government. I had to answer them correctly, then I got my certificate of naturalization

[@lazygardens]

His parents SHOULD have filed a notice of birth with the US Embassy in Canada to get a US consular birth certificate. However, he can probably get his parents birth certificates Ask Ted Cruz how he did it.

[@twinsonic]

Why Canada? He's from New Zealand..

[@jamsng]

Hes talking about another situation with another veteran ​@twinsonic

[@warrenrobinson8532]

Crazy how they honor Burglars that broke in to tear down our country but one that came in legally and fought for our country is being deported 😢😢😢😢😢

[@throckwoddle]

He didn't fight. He signed up during a period of time where he likely thought he'd end up fighting, but he didn't fight. If he had fought, as per the VA in the video, it wouldn't have been a problem making him a citizen.

[@usakittykatkat994]

@@throckwoddleDoesn’t matter that he didn’t fight. He signed up thinking he was going to and served his term. He certainly qualifies more than the illegals crossing our borders now.

[@RhondaKL]

He’s not the first veteran that this was done to. Veterans who grew up in America,but weren’t born in America have been deported after serving. They were American enough to serve and put their lives on the line, but not American enough to stay. It’s sad,and disgusting that this is happening.

[@Irishtroll]

All he needs to do is go to mexico and cross illegally

[@Epicfunk]

Maybe he didn't want a free $9k debit card, or a free Iphone lol

[@didgya]

You guys are delusional

[@patcook1280]

Leave it to florida..how shameful Rubio functions

[@createinmeacleanheartohgod6871]

It's a Federal case like citizenship, it's not a local case darwin.

[@refinedgracethroughdancing2435]

Nice way to treat veterans. Immigration service is a disgrace, I had to deal with them for a family member and our outcome was devastating to us. Yet They will let millions pour over the border illegally and when you you try to get a blood relative here legally all you do is waste 2 1/2 years dealing with them to be denied. My son is an active duty Marine and although I am proud of him for his accomplishments my husband and I (both veterans) tried our best to talk him out serving.

[@alfredcatter9836]

If this happens with an individual risking his life in the Marine Corp what our allies are expecting from the US⁉️

[@ourrightsmatter154]

😢😢😢😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@arleatataylor382]

Saw a similar story when a man tried to renew his license they claim he wasn't a citizen after all these years and service smh

[@ratapaga5963]

Just go to South America and go through the border, and he will become a citizen in no time!

[@maisies927]

I'm glad at least one news media had true news. Which is actually happening a positive outcome. That's why it's important to report the truth. I'm glad a lot of us watched this story from different states... Keep up reporting the truth.

[@JohnDoe-rs7gh]

It is very clear in the law about this. He got out before combat service. He also married an American BTW so he should of been granted citizenship on that premise

[@PaulaDautremont]

We need to get this hero out of FL and give him a home elsewhere where he will be honored and revered. Also his citizenship should be fast tracked.

[@pikachu2003]

You support the country… we must support you!

[@bederhajali]

My dad served in the same war. He fought for kuwait. Kuwait never gave him citizenship.

[@deborahbaker4770]

Yeah that’s ridiculous ‼️🤬 there is another man with the same problem he wanted a ID card or whatever you call it and they told him he isn’t a citizen he’s in his 70’s he can’t drive they took his driver’s license away he is also a veteran and he was the first person to tell his story this man here told his after the man in his 70’s why didn’t he get any recognition being the first person to tell what happened to him⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@cahg3871]

“You can put your life on the line for America,but don’t you dare think you will ever be an America citizen”.

[@bikeman7982]

Unbelievable how these veterans are being treated after they've served our country. Moral of the story,: get everything in writing, ideally with the help of an immigration lawyer.

[@user-zu5do6ri6r]

When did they serve our country? I thought they were over fighting in the middle East for fun. We surrendered back in 2002.

[@jamsng]

So true

[@totally_not_lau]

As a marine, this is complete bs. Get this man his citizenship

[@amle6588]

and they give wall hoppers citizenship 😂😂😂

[@amartell2009]

He qualifies to server but no be a citizen what’s wrong with the current system?

[@dkrab9506]

That's a disgrace!

[@mikeg1433]

A stuffed teddy bear was able to get his citizenship easier than this veteran.

[@Imjustacatlady]

So incredibly wrong. That should be a given for dutifully serving the country you want to emigrate to.

[@DillerDallerDuller]

How can you tell when a recruiter is lying? Their gums are flapping

[@Jayhavens1]

In the meantime, his wife needs to file an I-130 and get his 'green card.' Three years later he can be naturalized. Not really a big deal.....

[@td152]

I'm not surprised. I'm an Army veteran and can tell you there's LOTS of things recruiters tell you (and DON'T tell you) to get you to enlist. I served and was honorably discharged, but didn't receive all I was told by my recruiter. I'm bitter about that recruiter, but I'm still glad I enlisted. Our military branches need to be honest and transparent with recruits. Their lies can have major impacts on an enlisted person's life path.

[@Darby-qu6hz]

How could this even happen

[@oldnumber5866]

Yes I was promised a $4,000 enlistment bonus but the only problem was it was over a month before I enlisted. The recruiter was either ignorant that it was over or just didn’t care as long as he met his quota. Then they were butt hurt when I didn’t reenlist. Threatened me with dereliction of duty for not taken the E6 exam. Took the exam, got out, and six months later got a letter saying I was advanced to E6.

[@davidredfern836]

THE DOUBLE STANDARDS ARE BLINDING 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@shaynajacob8989]

That makes no sense

[@user-pf2hs1eg1o]

That’s the system! If he has respect for the law, he should accept the judgement and go back to his country and come back legally!

[@CatWith-AHat]

The voters of Florida's 12th district should know what their congressman decision is.

[@Nonakame]

So the State Representative Gus Bilirakis office is going to “look into” whether or not they are going to advocate for him? What a load of rubbish. They should be proactive and on top of this immediately. This guy earned his right to being an American citizen.

[@sixsixsix.]

After this incident and many incidents disrespecting our veterans...don't send your kids to the US military. Because this is the thanks you get for your service and a free body bag.

[@Mytoothmission]

As a Military who joined as Green card holder. Please just apply for citizenship the moment you get your unit. I know they used to process it during Basic but they dont do that anymore. Just apply as soon as you get your unit

[@aliciawentzshadows]

Forget the fact that the recruitment agent lied. But I was always under the impression that if you married a US citizen, especially on US soil, you were granted citizenship. When did that change?