American Veteran Faces Deportation Despite Service and Green Card
Marlon Parris, an Iraq war veteran and a legal resident of the United States, found himself wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on January 22nd, 2024. This has led to a national outcry, with veterans’ groups demanding his immediate release and a pledge from President Trump to protect service members from deportation.
A Travesty of Justice
Parris, a naturalized citizen from Trinidad and Tobago, served six years in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq thrice. Despite his honorable service, he was detained by ICE agents without explanation. His wife, Tanisha Hartwell-Parris, believes that his arrest is a result of Trump’s heightened immigration enforcement measures, which have targeted even nonviolent offenders.
A History of Service and Sacrifice
Parris joined the Army in 2001, driven by a sense of patriotism. As a tank operator during his deployments to Iraq, he experienced trauma that left him with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain damage. Upon his discharge in 2007, he struggled with the effects of his combat experience. However, Parris remained dedicated to his family and his new life in the United States.
ICE’s Inconsistent and Arbitrary Actions
In 2011, Parris was convicted of a nonviolent felony drug charge and served five years in prison. Before his release in 2016, ICE agents visited him, assuring him that he would not be deported due to his military service. They provided him with a letter to that effect, which he carried with him at all times.
Parris and his family were able to travel outside of the U.S. several times without incident. However, in October 2023, customs personnel confiscated his renewed green card upon his return from Barbados via Miami airport. Parris was consulting an immigration attorney when he was detained by ICE agents in January.
A Violation of Trust and American Values
Hartwell-Parris believes that her husband has become a victim of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. The timing of his arrest, just two days after Trump’s inauguration, raises concerns about the administration’s stance on legal immigrants and veterans.
A Demand for Justice and Systemic Change
Common Defense, a grassroots veterans advocacy organization, has launched a petition demanding Parris’ release and lobbied political leaders for support. They maintain that veterans who have served their country deserve protection and respect, regardless of their immigration status.
Jojo Sweatt, organizing director for Common Defense, emphasizes that "veterans who have raised their right hand to serve this country, regardless of what we sent them to do, regardless of where they originated from, do not ever deserve to be tossed away."
The organization fears that Parris’ case may be the tip of the iceberg, with other veterans facing similar arbitrary detentions and deportation threats. They urge the Trump administration to prioritize equity in the military, honor the service of veterans, and protect their legal status.
A Call for Compassion and Common Sense
Hartwell-Parris and Common Defense appeal to the American public and the Trump administration to show compassion and common sense in the case of Marlon Parris. They emphasize that he is here legally, has served his country honorably, and deserves to live in peace with his family.
"This is just not what this country should stand for," Hartwell-Parris said. "He is here legally, and this is where he belongs."
