American Legion unveils mural for deported veterans

Norwalk Mayor Tony Ayala and American Legion Post 359 commander Angelo Gandalf Maldonado unveil the mural, dedicated to deported service members during the ceremony on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — A mural dedicated to U.S. military veterans facing deportation was unveiled during a ceremony at the Norwalk American Legion Post 359 on Saturday, March 22.

Local officials also used the opportunity to advocate for "The Veteran Service Recognition Act" or H.R. 4569, which would create an easier path to citizenship for immigrant service members.

The mural, by artist Javier Salazar, illustrates some of the noncitizen U.S. veterans who have been deported. It is estimated that about 94,000 U.S. veterans have been deported and are denied basic benefits, according to The Immigrant Learning Center.

Post 359 commander Angelo Gandalf Maldonado said the exact number of deported veterans is expected to be much higher, "which suggests that the U.S. government has not taken this issue seriously."

"These are America's heroes who should be treated with the same honor and respect regardless of their citizenship status, and should never be permanently banished from their adopted country, their families, or from the country they fought for with the underlined commitment that could have ended in death," said Maldonado.

The American Legion is one of the War Time Veterans Organizations that has a Naturalization Commission to assist families with immigration issues, according to their press release.

"We advocate for granting humanitarian parole more liberally, allowing non-violent offenders veterans court and mental treatment as their citizen cohorts, expanding the Foreign Medical program to include non-service-connected conditions and not requiring upfront payment for care for those aboard, among other suggestions," said Maldonado.

Pat Alviso, national coordinator of the Military Families Speak Out organization, also explained how H.R. 4569 could help deported service members. While the bill did not pass Congress in 2023, there is a chance for it to be brought back and reconsidered.

Under the bill, if a noncitizen veteran appears to be eligible for permanent resident status, that veteran must receive a reasonable opportunity to apply and may not be removed until there is a final decision on their eligibility, according to the Congress website.

The bill also requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Defense to give military recruits and veterans the chance to obtain U.S. citizenship and establish the Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on cases involving the removal of a servicemember, veteran, or family members of a servicemember or veteran.

Local officials, including Norwalk Mayor Tony Ayala, also attended the unveiling to show support for military veterans.