Breaking: Veteran's Parade Says No to Viet Nam Veterans in Deportation (Technorati)

Breaking: Veteran's Parade Says No to Viet Nam Veterans in Deportation

Author: Tim Paynter
Published: May 28, 2011 at 7:53 am

The Denver Memorial Day Parade, organized to honor the men who fought to keep our nation free, has censored the free speech rights of two Viet Nam Veterans who are in deportation proceedings. Manuel Valenzuela was notified late yesterday not to bring posters asking for the return of deported veterans, a fate Manuel is facing along with his brother, Valente Valenzuela.

Valenzuela Brothers Pay Tribute To Fallen Veterans

The Valenzuela Brothers, who are inseparable, have become national figures in the fight for immigration reform after each brother was independently notified he was the latest target under the aggressive removal policy by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Neither brother wanted to tell the other he may soon have to leave the US, and one of the brothers was so distraught he considered suicide.

Since Barak Obama came into office, ICE has deported a record number of undocumented workers. The Valenzuela Brothers never considered themselves undocumented, being the children of a US citizen, and having offered their lives for the country they love while fighting in Viet Nam. Each brother could easily have lost his life and Valente served special duty in clandestine endeavors he still refuses to speak about. Both brothers returned to civilian life suffering post traumatic Stress disorder.

Al Munis, head of the Veteran's Affair's Committee for the Denver Parade, advised the brothers through an emissary they were not to bring the banner they planned to carry. The brothers are speaking out about an estimated 3,000 veterans who have been deported, including Hector Barajas, despite prior promises their military service would qualify them to be citizens.

"Is this what you call freedom?" Manuel Valenzuela asked during an exclusive interview with immigrants2free reporter Tim Paynter.

"I could have died in Viet Nam!" Valenzuela said.

Jerry Duran, squadron commander for the American GI Forum, was unable to negotiate a resolution.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durban, (D-Ill.), along with other senators including Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), introduced the Dream Act which will give undocumented youth the opportunity to go to college or serve in the military. After attendance in college or completion of military service, some of the youths will qualify for permanent resident status.