immigration Archives - Task & Purpose

By Staff Sgt. Kelsey Miller Mar 4, 2021

Immigration Rundown

He began as an American soldier, he’s now also an American citizen

"I’m ready to serve this country as best I can."

By Maj. Khoran Lee Mar 4, 2021

Immigration Rundown

The path from immigrant, to soldier, to officer

"I always wanted to give back."

By Chad Menegay Jan 4, 2021

Immigration Rundown

Freedom and Opportunity: A Togolese-American story

In West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea stands Lomé, a port of trade and transportation hub that is the...

By Tony Valdovinos Dec 21, 2020

Opinion

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

"I couldn’t work legally. I couldn’t get a driver’s license. Worst of all, I was prohibited from defending my country."

By Meredith Mathis Dec 7, 2020

Immigration Rundown

War after the war: The long fight to bring our unsung heroes home

Only time will tell if we will make good on those promises.

By Sgt. Jessica DuVernay, U.S. Army Nov 9, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Pledging allegiance from Iraqi interpreter to US soldier to American citizen

"I didn't have a normal and safe childhood ... I did this so my kids could live, and be safe"

By Esther Bergdahl Oct 23, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Meet the refugee who escaped civil war and became an American soldier

At 20 years old, Army Spc. Poe Hsee understands selfless service more than others. Born into the ethnic Karen minority...

By Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune Oct 12, 2020

News

President Trump can’t use $3.6 billion in military funds for border wall construction, federal court rules

“It’s past time for Trump to finally give up on trying to raid the federal budget for his wasteful and...

By Alun Thomas, U.S. Army Oct 9, 2020

From Mexico to the US Army, this recruiter excels at serving his adopted country

Staff Sgt. Roberto Morales, a recruiter for Superstition Recruiting Station, Tempe Recruiting Company, was born and raised in Mexico until...

By Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker, U.S. Air Force Oct 8, 2020

Immigrant Guardsman helps community while activated for COVID-19 response

U.S. Army Spc. Juan Herrera, 142nd Area Support Medical Company combat medic, helped spearhead a grassroots effort to deliver food...

By Tech. Sgt. Samantha Mathison, U.S. Air Force Oct 7, 2020

Immigration Rundown

A former war refugee lives the American dream as a Reserve airman

As a result of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, an estimated 40,000 Bosnian refugees immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, in the...

By Capt. Travis Mueller, U.S. Army Oct 1, 2020

Immigration Rundown

Deployed soldier becomes US citizen

U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Rivera Romero, a CH-47 helicopter repairer currently deployed with Bravo Company, 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th...

By Esther Bergdahl Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

He was born in a village in Sudan. It took joining the Army to find his home

Seven years before he was granted U.S. citizenship at a federal district courthouse in Des Moines, Pfc. Fortytwo Chotper was...

By Esther Bergdahl Sep 8, 2020

Immigration Rundown

He came to America to join the military. Then he sacrificed his life and became a community hero

On that fateful December night in 2017, he could have easily escaped the flames unharmed, but Emmanuel Mensah's overwhelming sense...

By Travis Weiner Sep 8, 2020

The Long March

I was in the wrong fight in Iraq. As an immigration lawyer, I found the right one

Editor's note: this post first appeared in November, 2016 I can’t remember the exact moment (if there even was one)...

By Jeff Schogol Jun 30, 2020

Unsung Heroes

He saved the lives of five US troops. Now this Afghan interpreter is an American citizen

Janis Shinwari is credited with saving the lives of five U.S. service members during his eight years serving as an...

By Molly O'Toole, Los Angeles Times Mar 24, 2020

News

US troops are still at the southern border, despite waning migration and COVID-19 restrictions

Roughly 5,200 troops are there to help find undocumented migrants, though apprehensions are at the lowest levels in years.

By Alex Riggins, The San Diego Union-Tribune Feb 6, 2020

popular

Man charged with recruiting Camp Pendleton Marines to transport unauthorized immigrants

The charge against Francisco Saul Rojas-Hernandez is connected with a scheme that entangled some two dozen Camp Pendleton Marines, at...

By Kate Morrissey, The San Diego Union-Tribune Jan 3, 2020

popular

Army officer’s mother deported as time runs out on her hope for a miracle

"I feel betrayed, to be honest ... the sacrifices that my mother and I have done for my country have...

By Eric Adler, The Kansas City Star Dec 30, 2019

popular

‘The end is coming’ — A retired Army officer’s adopted daughter prepares for deportation

Hyebin Schreiber is getting ready to leave the country she loves — the one her father, a retired lieutenant colonel...

By Haley Britzky Dec 27, 2019

popular

An Army officer thought his service would protect his immigrant mother. He was wrong

"I cannot eat, I cannot sleep, my life is on hold."

By Steve DeVane, The Fayetteville Observer Dec 6, 2019

popular

Army sergeant found guilty of arranging sham marriages between soldiers and foreign nationals

By marrying soldiers, the foreign nationals were seeking legal status in the United States to which they were not entitled.

By Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times Nov 30, 2019

popular

Navy vet-turned-customs officer loses citizenship over Mexican birth certificate

Raul Rodriguez had worked for U.S. Customs for 18 years when internal investigators confronted him last year with a document...

By Sarah Rahal, The Detroit News Nov 14, 2019

popular

A Michigan-born Marine vet was turned over to ICE by local police. He sued the city and won

The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan will pay $190,000 to Jilmar Ramos-Gomez, a Marine veteran who was arrested by police...

By Jared Keller Nov 6, 2019

popular

Marine Corps has no record that suspect in Milwaukee acid attack was ever a Marine

The Marine Corps says it has no record of service for Clifton A. Blackwell, the 61-year-old Milwaukee man arrested on...

immigration

News

Featured in immigration

He began as an American soldier, he’s now also an American citizen

The path from immigrant, to soldier, to officer

Freedom and Opportunity: A Togolese-American story

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

War after the war: The long fight to bring our unsung heroes home

Pledging allegiance from Iraqi interpreter to US soldier to American citizen

Meet the refugee who escaped civil war and became an American soldier

President Trump can’t use $3.6 billion in military funds for border wall construction, federal court rules

From Mexico to the US Army, this recruiter excels at serving his adopted country

Immigrant Guardsman helps community while activated for COVID-19 response

A former war refugee lives the American dream as a Reserve airman

Deployed soldier becomes US citizen

He was born in a village in Sudan. It took joining the Army to find his home

He came to America to join the military. Then he sacrificed his life and became a community hero

I was in the wrong fight in Iraq. As an immigration lawyer, I found the right one

He saved the lives of five US troops. Now this Afghan interpreter is an American citizen

US troops are still at the southern border, despite waning migration and COVID-19 restrictions

Man charged with recruiting Camp Pendleton Marines to transport unauthorized immigrants

Army officer’s mother deported as time runs out on her hope for a miracle

‘The end is coming’ — A retired Army officer’s adopted daughter prepares for deportation

An Army officer thought his service would protect his immigrant mother. He was wrong

Army sergeant found guilty of arranging sham marriages between soldiers and foreign nationals

Navy vet-turned-customs officer loses citizenship over Mexican birth certificate

A Michigan-born Marine vet was turned over to ICE by local police. He sued the city and won

Marine Corps has no record that suspect in Milwaukee acid attack was ever a Marine