He Earned a Purple Heart. America Gave Him Deportation.
What the removal of Sae Joon Park says about justice, citizenship—and who truly belongs.
I’ve been trying not to duplicate the same stories I send to my From Discord to Harmony email list, since many of you are on that list—but some of you aren’t, and this is just too important a story not to share again.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Sae Joon Park, a friend of a friend, who was facing deportation. At the time, it seemed like things had worked out and he’d be able to stay in the country.
That was the same week I accompanied another dear friend to an immigration office for an ID verification appointment. We were so nervous—because we’d been hearing about legal immigrants being detained and deported. Luckily everything went well at that immigration appointment.
But unfortunately for Sae Joon Park, that wasn’t the case. This week, a heartbreaking update emerged: Mr. Park, who served honorably and called the U.S. home for 48 years, was deported after his green card was revoked due to an old drug conviction tied to untreated PTSD.
And here’s one of many articles that have been written about Mr. Park this week.
On Monday, Park voluntarily boarded a flight bound for South Korea—the country he barely remembers, due to a removal order that offered no clemency despite his service. "This really kills me that I just have to drop everything and leave like this," Park told Hawaii News Now before he left the country.
According to the news report, thousands more that are in the same situation are up for deportation. These are people that are here legally. And if they are like Mr. Park, who served his time for his conviction, they’ve paid their dues.
Sae Joon Park’s story breaks my heart. I don’t know him but he could be any of our loved ones.
We are 156 days into this presidency. Midterms can’t come soon enough.
💔 Why This Matters
Service doesn’t guarantee loyalty. Park sacrificed on behalf of our country—but a decades-old conviction was enough to strip him of the life, family, and home he built here.
PTSD and addiction are treated like crimes. Instead of receiving care, Park went from decorated veteran to deported immigrant.
This sends a chilling message. If a military hero can be removed, who’s safe?
🛠️ What You Can Do
Call your representatives. Demand that military service be weighed more heavily in immigration proceedings.
Support veteran-advocacy groups that pressure lawmakers to protect those who’ve served.
Share this story—bring attention to Park’s case and similar injustices.
Stay informed—follow reliable coverage on Newsweek and NPR to understand the full impact.
With everything happening, I’m especially grateful to host a Live Q&A with Sharon Kyle, co-founder and publisher of LA Progressive and ACLU Board Member.
🗓️ Sunday, June 29 at 4 PM PT
💌 Zoom link will be sent to all paid Substack subscribers that morning.
This conversation will build on Sharon’s powerful interview in From Discord to Harmony, where she explained why civic education and citizen engagement are more important than ever.
Come with your pressing questions and concerns.
📬 Send me your questions in advance — I want to hear what’s on your mind.
✍🏽 Reflection Prompt
How do you feel knowing a Purple Heart veteran was deported for a past offense tied to PTSD?
What does this say about how we define “service” and “home”?
What actions can you take to ensure veterans are honored—not punished—for their sacrifices?
With respect and resolve,
Danita aka Civic-Minded Jones