--- title: Kroc Students Working with Deported U.S. Veterans in Mexico description: TBI research initiative into helping the US deported veterans living in Tijuana, Mexico image: https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/f6f7ef7a122ef66161ca7ebe7b203941.jpg --- [Skip Navigation](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/kroc-students-working-with-deported-u.s.-veterans-in-mexico#main) [![University of San Diego](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Branding%20Assets/logo-usd.png)](https://www.sandiego.edu/) [Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies](https://www.sandiego.edu/peace/) - [About](https://www.sandiego.edu/peace/about/) Learn more about Kroc School history, faculty, events and more. 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There’s a widespread presumption that few non-citizens serve in the armed forces and that service automatically conveys citizenship or at least would act as mitigating factor in deportation proceedings. In reality, thousands of non-citizens serve, their applications for citizenship are expedited but not automatic, and their status as veterans does not protect them from deportation.   The precise number of deported vets is unknown, but there are more than 200 in Tijuana alone, and advocates have documented cases in at least 34 countries. Most of these men speak English, grew up in the United States, and have no real ties to their countries of origin. They are Americans in all but the most technical sense of the term, and risked their lives to defend this country. Most were deported for criminal offenses related to the same post-discharge adjustment issues facing other vets, and they cannot access the benefits they have earned, with one exception – if and when they die, they are entitled to a military funeral and burial in the United States. ![Kroc students talking with deported U.S. veterans in Tijuana](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/f6f7ef7a122ef66161ca7ebe7b203941.jpg?width=508&name=f6f7ef7a122ef66161ca7ebe7b203941.jpg) Photo left: Kroc School students listening to deported veterans in Tijuana Kroc School students want better information on this phenomenon, justice for vets who have been treated unfairly, and a humane solution to something that everyone seems to agree is a problem. To this end, students in the MA in Peace and Justice Studies (MAPJ) and MA in Social Innovation (MASI) programs have embarked upon an ambitious documentation project, in partnership with the deported veterans of Tijuana. This spring 18 students completing their field-based practicum under the supervision of Trans-Border Institute Director Ev Meade will identify and interview deported veterans in Mexico, and their family members in the United States. The project aims to expand the number of deported veterans who have been identified and the depth of knowledge about their cases. This knowledge, in turn, will seek to shape public opinion and policy in ways that will revisit their deportation cases, ensure better access to their benefits, and prevent other veterans from suffering the same fate. The Kroc team has no desire to reinvent the wheel, or to create false hope. Excellent local journalists including [Brooke Binkowski](https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/news/border-report-no-homecoming-yet-deported-vets/) and [Sandra Dibble](http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-veterans-deported-20170603-story.html) have brought public attention to deported veterans in Tijuana for several years, and a recent report by the [American Civil Liberties Union](https://www.aclusandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DischargedThenDiscarded-ACLUofCA.pdf) (ACLU) included more than 69 in-depth interviews and the creation of a database of nearly 300 deported vets. All of this reporting has leaned heavily upon the tireless advocacy of deported veterans’ organizations, including the [Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unified-US-Deported-Veterans-Resource-Center/782934635206404), and the [Deported Veterans Support House](http://www.deportedveteranssupporthouse.org/).   The Kroc students hope to build upon and expand this important work in four key dimensions: 1. We will deepen the life histories of individual deported veterans to include a greater accounting of their social and cultural experiences (over and above their legal predicaments). 2. We will include family members and other community members in the United States who have been affected by the deportation of U.S. veterans. 3. We will expand the geographic scope of our study beyond Tijuana to include other locations along the border and in the interior of Mexico. 4. We will survey public opinion about this issue within the broader veteran community in the United States. This project will also be shaped by the Kroc students’ partnership with the deported veterans themselves. As a part of a school of peace studies with a commitment to applied research, we act *with* rather than on behalf of communities affected by violence and injustice.  Our commitment is to listen actively to our research subjects, to share our knowledge with them, and to collaborate on solutions, rather than just documenting or analyzing problems. \*Special thanks to Miguel Marshal and everyone else at [Estación Federal in Tijuana](http://www.centroventures.com/estacion-federal/), for allowing us to use their space. ## What’s next? The Kroc team will finish and submit their research design for institutional approval, and continue to make contacts and gather information about deported veterans. Formal interviews will begin as soon as possible, and we have committed to produce a series of life histories and policy recommendations by June 1. Stay tuned! ## How do I get involved? The research project involves confidential interview and information, but many of our Friday evening sessions are open to outside guests, and we welcome contacts with veterans’ organizations, volunteer attorneys, or others who might facilitate our work on behalf of deported veterans. Please contact [transborder@sandiego.edu](mailto:transborder@sandiego.edu) for more information or to offer your support. And we depend upon grants and donations to make this work possible. [Please consider supporting us](https://securegiving.sandiego.edu/s/1374/torero/giving-start.aspx?sid=1374&gid=1&pgid=483&cid=1133). [More Information](https://www.sandiego.edu/peace/institutes/tbi/)   ## Contact: Ev Meade [emeade@sandiego.edu](mailto:emeade@sandiego.edu) (619) 218-5946 ![Kroc School](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/USD-SPS-logo-reverse-3.png) About the Author [Kroc School](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/author/kroc-school) The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (Kroc School) at the University of San Diego is the global hub for peacebuilding and social innovation. Founded in 2007, the Kroc School equips the next generation of innovative changemakers to shape more peaceful and just societies. We offer master's degrees in peace and justice, social innovation, humanitarian action, conflict management and resolution, and a dual degree in peace and law — programs that have attracted diverse and dynamic students from more than 50 countries. In addition to our graduate programs, the Kroc School is home to the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ). Founded in 2001, the Institute supports positive change beyond the classroom. Through groundbreaking research, experiential learning, and forward-thinking programs, the Kroc School and Kroc IPJ are shaping a future in which peaceful co-existence is the new normal. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ## Request More Information Please complete the form below to learn more about the Kroc School graduate programs. We will email you more information regarding each of our programs. If you would like to receive a program guide for a specific degree, please select a program. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ### Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies [Joan B. 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