HOUSE MEMORIAL 26

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Rodolpho "Rudy" S. Martinez and Eliseo Lee Alcon and Karen C. Bash and Andrea Romero and Harry Garcia

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MEDICAL TREATMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR DEPORTED VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

 

     WHEREAS, according to the American civil liberties union, at least two hundred thirty-nine veterans of the United States armed forces have been deported to at least thirty-four countries; and

     WHEREAS, those who have honorably served our country have been denied medical treatment and other benefits from the United States department of veterans affairs; and

     WHEREAS, veterans who are deported and who were not seen by a United States department of veterans affairs health care provider for evaluation are not allowed to file a claim for disability or other benefits; and

     WHEREAS, veterans who would otherwise seek treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder or other service-related injuries are denied approval unless they are about to die; and

     WHEREAS, deported veterans have in fact died waiting for approval for medical treatment; and

     WHEREAS, these men and women have served in the United States armed forces and have earned the right to receive medical treatment and benefits;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress be requested to enact legislation to provide medical treatment and other benefits for all veterans of the United States armed forces, including those who have been deported; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States senate, the speaker of the United States house of representatives, the United States department of defense, the United States department of veterans affairs, the secretary of veterans' services and New Mexico's congressional delegation.

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