[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 59 (Thursday, April 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOME HOME, HECTOR BARAJAS

  (Ms. BARRAGAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome my constituent, 
Hector Barajas, home. Mr. Barajas enlisted in the Army in 1995, served 
nobly for 6 years, and was honorably discharged in 2001.
  Hector was not a U.S. citizen. Despite being a veteran, he was 
deported in 2002 and separated from his family, despite his years of 
service and sacrifice for our country.
  Soon after his deportation, Mr. Barajas became a leader and role 
model for other deported veterans, establishing a safe house in 
Tijuana, Mexico, called the Deported Veterans Support House, or ``The 
Bunker,'' as they like to call it.
  Meanwhile, he continued to pursue his dream of returning legally to 
the United States and becoming a U.S. citizen. His dream has finally 
come true. On April 13, Mr. Barajas will return to Compton, California, 
as a United States citizen. Upon his return, let's work together to 
bring home our veterans.
  Welcome home, Hector, and thank you for your service.

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