US lawmaker urges Noem to review case of self-deported veteran of Korean descent

WASHINGTON — A U.S. lawmaker called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday to take a look at the case of an Army veteran of Korean descent who was forced to self-deport earlier this year, underscoring his sacrifice during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. During a House hearing, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) brought up the story of Sae Joon Park who reportedly self-deported to South Korea in June after having lived in the U.S. for nearly five decades at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump's administration stepped up its policy to curb immigration. Park is a veteran with a Purple Heart — a military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the military. In 1989, he was wounded during his deployment to Panama. His deportation was in connection with charges related to drug possession and failure to appear in court from more than 15 years ago, according to NPR. "Will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park's case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for," he said. Magaziner's aide held up a tabl

US lawmaker urges Noem to review case of self-depo...