Miguel Perez Jr, an immigrant with permanent residence and who served two tours to Afghanistan is now facing deportation.

Miguel is a veteran who has served our country and risked his life so that we may feel safe in our country, where we may continue to enjoy our many rights that our military and veterans have fought to preserve.

Miguel has been diagnosed with PTSD from the VA and was trying to seek assistance, but if you are a veteran or know any veterans, getting help from the VA hospital often takes months, if that help ever does come.

Miguel made the mistake of using drugs and alcohol to self-medicate his PTSD and was convicted of a felony drug charge to which he plead guilty and has so far served half of his 15 year sentence. 

Miguel is 39 and has lived in the United States since he was 8 years old and has children who were born here. He is facing being sent to Mexico, a country he no longer knows, a country where he has no ties and a country where he will be targeted because of his skills as a combat war veteran.

I urge you to sign this petition to ask Governor Bruce Rauner of Illinois to grant a pardon for Miguel Perez Jr and to expedite his path to a green card and citizenship.

Yes, he made a mistake in using illegal drugs. He served his time to pay for that mistake and has still not received treatment for his PTSD. If we sit and do nothing and allow him to be deported to a country he has not lived in for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS what kind of message are we sending to our fellow immigrants who are CURRENTLY serving? That only the American born veterans are worthy? When we stand to salute the flag and we thank our veterans, are we then only thanking the American born veterans?

Please sign this petition! Let's keep Miguel Perez with his family and get him the help he deserves!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-green-card-veteran-hunger-strike-20180131-story.html