He earned a Purple Heart fighting for the US. Swept up in Trump’s immigration crackdown, he now fights to come home

He earned a Purple Heart fighting for the US. Swept up in Trump’s immigration crackdown, he now fights to come home

He earned a Purple Heart fighting – Sae Joon Park, a 56-year-old Army veteran who once served in the US military, now lives in a temporary state of limbo. Each morning, he orders pancakes and walks past soldiers in uniform, a momentary escape from the reality of being stationed at Camp Humphreys, a sprawling US Army base south of Seoul. The familiar hum of a language he hadn’t heard in years—Korean—fills the air, offering a fleeting sense of belonging. Yet, for most of the day, he remains trapped in a situation that feels like a reversal of his sacrifices: thousands of miles from the home he once called his own, and under threat of being deported from the country he fought to protect.

A Veteran’s Return to the Land of His Birth

When Park arrived in the United States in 2019, it was a fresh start after years of hardship. But his journey to reintegration was fraught with challenges. Following a self-deportation last summer, he found himself on foreign soil again, this time under the watchful eye of immigration authorities. His case has become emblematic of the broader debate sparked by Trump’s immigration policies, which have reinvigorated removal orders and narrowed the discretion of officials to shield noncitizens from deportation.

Park, a former green-card holder, voluntarily left the US after immigration officials unexpectedly issued threats of arrest during a routine check-in. The trigger? A prior conviction linked to drug possession, bail jumping, and related charges. His story gained national attention in December when lawmakers questioned then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a congressional hearing. The discussion highlighted how veterans, often seen as loyal citizens, have become casualties of the administration’s hardline stance on immigration.

“Miami was tough,” Park told CNN. “I would always get in fights … I was the only Asian kid in the entire school, so I would get picked on a lot.”

His decision to leave the US came after years of struggle. Once a child in South Korea, he had moved to the US at age 7, following his parents’ divorce. That early separation shaped his life in unexpected ways. In Miami, he faced discrimination and hardship, learning to navigate a new world as an outsider. His mother worked multiple jobs, including waitressing, before starting small businesses in clothing and records. These efforts provided stability, but Park’s own path was more turbulent.

A Combat Mission That Changed His Life

Seeking direction after high school, Park enlisted in the military with his best friend, guided by his uncle’s advice. The uncle, a South Korean Marine colonel, urged him to find purpose in service. Park’s military career took him to Fort Clayton in Panama, where he was deployed during “Operation Just Cause” in 1989. This operation, launched to remove the drug-trafficking regime of Manuel Noriega, became the backdrop for a life-altering event.

Within months of his arrival, Park’s platoon was tasked with a mission that would leave a permanent mark. The operation targeted the home of a Brazilian woman described as Noriega’s “witch,” believed to have practiced occult rituals for the dictator. The raid turned chaotic as fire erupted outside the compound. Park was shot twice, once in the spine and once in the lower back, before being dragged to safety, bleeding heavily and struggling for each breath. Miraculously, he survived, earning a Purple Heart in a bedside ceremony at a San Antonio Army hospital.

“I got there just in time for the training and to go into war,” he told CNN. “In a matter of days, I was involved in a mission that would alter my life … and earn me one of the most esteemed decorations in the US military.”

The trauma of the combat mission lingered long after his return to civilian life. What he later recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder began to manifest in daily challenges. Loud noises triggered panic, and nightmares kept him awake, leaving him emotionally and physically fragmented. Despite these struggles, Park remained determined, finding solace in the bonds of family and community.

Legal Battles and the Struggle for Redemption

Park’s current predicament has forced him to navigate a labyrinth of legal processes. With the aim of reclaiming his place in the US, he is pursuing multiple avenues, including a pardon from the governor of New York. His attorney acknowledges that these efforts could take years and do not guarantee a successful outcome. Yet, for Park, the hope of returning home remains a driving force.

His case has reignited conversations about the fairness of Trump’s immigration policies. Critics argue that veterans, who have given their lives to defend the nation, should not be subjected to the same removal processes as ordinary citizens. While the Department of Homeland Security cites his criminal record as justification, opponents question whether his past offenses should outweigh his service to the country.

Park’s journey from South Korea to the US, and back again, underscores the complexities of identity and loyalty. Born in the land of his ancestors, he had built a life in America, earning his Purple Heart and striving to contribute to society. Now, his story is a testament to the unintended consequences of strict immigration enforcement. As he fights for his return, the debate over whether such policies should include veterans who have already proven their commitment to the United States continues to grow.

Returning to South Korea was a decision made out of necessity, not choice. After years of instability in the US, he found temporary relief in his homeland, where his family and cultural roots provided a sense of continuity. Yet, the constant reminder of his status as a noncitizen has made his time in the country bittersweet. He often reflects on the life he left behind, the battles he fought, and the sacrifices he made.

The broader implications of his case extend beyond his personal journey. As one of many noncitizen veterans affected by Trump’s policies, Park’s struggle highlights a growing concern: the erosion of protections for those who have served the nation. His story serves as a reminder that the laws governing immigration can have profound consequences, even for those who have dedicated their lives to defending the country they now risk being forced to leave.