Military Naturalization Town Hall - Hybrid Event (In person & Virtual)

For the virtual portion, please sign up and save Excusemyaccent.com/townhall to access the virtual portion.


The Military Natualization Town Hall will be held in Tacoma Washington.

We invite you to register and we will follow up with more information including exact location and agenda.

All donations support this event and future upcoming events.

About the Event

This November, during Veterans Month, the community is invited to a powerful and timely Town Hall discussion centered on the experiences of U.S. military service members and veterans who have been deported or face deportation. The conversation will examine the intersection of military service, naturalization, and immigration policy, and highlight the systemic challenges veterans face despite their service.

The discussion will be supported by a screening of the award-winning documentary short

Bring Them Home, which tells the personal stories of deported veterans, their families, and advocates. Through first-hand accounts and storytelling, the film illustrates the human cost of deporting those who defended our country.

Watch the trailer for the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqhYIkZUptE

The event is presented by Black Deported Veterans of America and Excuse My Accent in partnership with Common Defense, Veterans For Peace, AboutFace Veterans, 50501 Veterans, and other organizations to be announced.

Historical Context

For decades, U.S. law has provided a path to naturalization for non-citizen service members. However, immigration and bureaucratic challenges have resulted in thousands of veterans being deported after serving honorably. This Town Hall will explore these issues, discuss ongoing advocacy efforts, and provide a platform for veterans and their families to share their lived experiences.

Building on Momentum

This Town Hall builds on the success of previous gatherings, which drew over 165 attendees and featured voices from Black Deported Veterans of America, Immigration Defenders Law Center, ACLU, and other organizations. Those forums fostered dialogue, strengthened community solidarity, and highlighted the urgency of supporting deported veterans and fortifying military naturalization.

View photos from the previous event here:

https://www.excusemyaccent.com/bringthemhometacoma

Watch the full panel discussion here: https://youtu.be/-c_W7ZaA4E8?si=E4gZ5n0p_ap6xmTD

Event Featured Voices

The program will include a live conversation with veterans, advocates, and family members, including:

• Jesus Manuel Valenzuela – Veteran and advocate, featured in PBS film American Exile
• Hector Barajas – Founder, Deported Veterans Support House; (formerly Deported Veteran) featured voice in Bring Them Home
• David Bariu – Co-Founder, Black Deported Veterans of America (formerly Deported Veterans)
• Melissa Chaudhry – Advocate and wife of veteran Zahid Chaudhry (recently detained by ICE)
• Tanisha Hartwell Parris – Advocate and wife of deported veteran Marlon Parris (recently deported by ICE)
• Diane Vega - Chair LVC/Common Defense (veteran advocate)
• James L. Smith II - Director, Black Deported Veterans of America (veteran advocate)
• And more…

Why It Matters

This Town Hall is a crucial opportunity to center the voices of detained and deported veterans, advocate for justice and effective legislation, and build a coalition of awareness around military service and immigration policy. The event fosters an introduction to dialogue, and actionable

change—honoring those who serve and have served with recognition and accountability.

Contact

For more information or to get involved:

Rob Young – robyoung@excusemyaccent.com

Krista Perez – krista@perezconsultingsolutions.com

James Smith - James@blackdeportedveteransofamerica.org