May 26, 2025

Contact: Paige Censale, media@haitianbridge.org, info@haitianbridge.org 

SAN DIEGO, CA— This Memorial Day, Haitian Bridge Alliance honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Among them are countless immigrants who are veterans —documented and undocumented—who have stood on the frontlines to defend the freedoms and values of this nation, yet are being deported. As we remember their courage and sacrifice, we call attention to the dangerous and draconian immigration policies being executed under President Donald Trump, which threaten the very communities that have long served and protected America.

From the Revolutionary War to modern-day conflicts, immigrants have been an integral part of the U.S. Armed Forces. According to the Department of Defense, more than 700,000 foreign-born veterans live in the United States today, and approximately 40,000 foreign nationals currently serve on active duty. Historically, immigrants have enlisted, often driven by a deep belief in the American promise of liberty and justice for all.

— Guerline Jozef, Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance.

“It is unconscionable that immigrant veterans who risked their lives for this country are being deported under the very flag they swore to defend. On this Memorial Day, we do more than honor the fallen—we demand justice for the living. President Trump must end the cruel practice of deporting veterans and uphold the dignity of those who served.”

Haitian Bridge Alliance continues to call on Congress to defend immigrant communities against unjust enforcement practices and to exercise oversight to immediately halt deportations of veterans and immigrant service members and create a pathway to U.S. citizenship for those who have served. We also call on the administration to stop cutting funding for critical services that benefit veterans.

ABOUT HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, foreign policy, and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and builds solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @haitianbridge