Jerry Brown pardons three veterans deported to Mexico
Gov. Jerry Brown, in a spring tradition timed to coincide with the Easter renewal, extended pardons Saturday to three people who served in the U.S. military but were deported to Mexico after completing sentences for various crimes.
The three cases were part of the 72 pardons and seven commutations Brown issued ahead of Easter, the majority covering old crimes dealing with drugs and other lower-level offenses.
Brown said the former service members were honorably discharged and promised citizenship for their service but nonetheless were deported. One of the men, Hector Barajas Varela, served more than a year in prison after being convicted of shooting at an occupied home or vehicle, and went on to found the Deported Veterans Support House in Tijuana, Mexico, to help deportees adjusting to life there.
Barajas, 40, who came to the United States at 7 years old without authorization, enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in Southern California. He was honorably discharged after serving with the 82nd Airborne Division and receiving Army humanitarian service and good conduct medals.
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Barajas, who has a 7-year-old American daughter and parents and siblings living in Los Angeles, said he is applying for U.S. citizenship. Before deportation, he had been granted residency and a work permit. Barajas, who speaks better English than Spanish, said he isn’t sure he will be able to return. But he said Brown’s pardon gives him hope.
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