The Texas AFL-CIO celebrates the return and naturalization today of Ivan Ocon, a deported veteran

The Texas AFL-CIO celebrates the return and naturalization today of Ivan Ocon, a deported veteran who served six years honorably in the Army, including a deployment to Jordan in connection with Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“We strongly applaud the decision to allow Mr. Ocon to return home and begin rebuilding his life as a citizen of the nation that he sacrificed to protect. Our hope is that the numerous other deported veterans will one day have the same opportunity to repatriate,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “Mr. Ocon’s case shows that our broken immigration system continues to cause hardship in this country, even to our veterans, and it is way past time for those blocking real immigration reform to do their jobs or get out of the way.

Ocon’s 2016 deportation had devastating consequences for his family in the U.S., including his separation from a young daughter and other family members. Nevertheless, he maintained a career of community service in Mexico, including volunteer work on behalf of other deported veterans through the Deported Veterans Support House and other charitable organizations.Bringing Ocon home has been a collaborative priority of the AFL-CIO and the Union Veterans Council. An AFL-CIO representative met Mr. Ocon through his work at the Support House, and through that and other introductions, the Texas AFL-CIO has come to support naturalization efforts by Ocon and other veterans in related circumstances.

  “All the facts surrounding Ivan Ocon’s case – including his service to our nation, his cooperation with the government, and his activities while under a deportation order – make clear that he has earned a chance to rejoin his family in the U.S. and continue his life as a citizen of the United States.  We welcome him home.”