Tijuana activist assists deported U.S. veterans with legal and medical aid

Activist Robert Vivar runs the Unified U.S. Deported Veterans Resource Center in Tijuana, offering deported American veterans expelled to Mexico comprehensive support. The organization provides legal guidance, basic medical care, emotional counseling, assistance with documentation, job placement, and in some cases a pathway back to the United States. Vivar, who was himself deported and later regularized his status to become a U.S. citizen in 2021, says, “Leaving your family behind through a deportation process after serving a country is something people do not understand,” and adds, “you have to understand that there is damage beyond the physical.” The center also seeks civil and criminal action against the U.S. Department of Justice and ICE detention contractors. Families of deported veterans, many with U.S. citizen children and grandchildren serving in the armed forces, rely on the center as they cope with separation, loss of income and disrupted health services.