SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) announced today she is honoring deported U.S. Army veteran Hector Barajas Varela of Tijuana as Assembly District 80’s Veteran of the Year.
Barajas, who could not attend the annual ceremony at the State Capitol because of his deportation, is the Director and Founder of the Deported Veterans Support House, a shelter in Tijuana known as “The Bunker” that he started in 2012 to help other deported Veterans on “their path to self-sufficiency by providing assistance in the realms of food, clothing, and shelter as they adjust to life in their new country of residence.”
“It’s horribly unfortunate that our Veteran of the Year can’t join me in the Capitol for this honor,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez Fletcher said. “We must do everything in our power to bring back every single man and woman who can no longer live in the country they served.”
Barajas moved to the United States from Mexico with his family at age 7 and grew up in Compton and became a Legal Permanent Resident at age 15. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17 and served two stints. Hector began basic training at age 18 and went on to serve in the 82nd Airborne as a U.S. Army paratrooper, where he regularly jumped out of airplanes. During his six years of service, Barajas received numerous accolades and awards, including a Humanitarian Service Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal. After his two stints, Barajas was honorably discharged as an E4 Specialist. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Barajas was convicted of a gun-related crime in 2003, which led to his deportation.
April 15, Barajas was one of three deported military veterans that was pardoned from his 2003 conviction by Gov. Jerry Brown. He has been a strident advocate for the rights of deported military veterans, including support for Assembly Bill 386 that was authored by Assemblywoman Gonzalez Fletcher this year to provide legal assistance to deported veterans who are seeking immigration services that could result in their return to the United States as well as relief from any underlying criminal convictions. At the urging of the Assemblywoman and Barajas, the 2017-18 California state budget passed by the Legislature last week makes deported veterans with ties to California eligible to apply for the $45 million available for immigration services.
