Posted on 03/15/2026 7:05:57 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
After fighting for almost a decade to gain U.S. citizenship, time is running out for Marine Corps veteran Paul Canton.
He’ll likely be deported soon back to his native New Zealand, despite serving in the U.S. military for seven years, and building a life in Central Florida for more than 25 years.
Canton’s story first hit the news cycle in 2020 when his application for citizenship was rejected by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, even though the former Marine had no criminal record.
Despite the setback, Canton and his family kept working on his citizenship case, gaining support from leaders on both sides of the political spectrum.
However, Canton’s glimmer of hope was torpedoed in February when a federal judge nixed his appeal, bringing him one step closer to leaving the place he’s called home for 35 years.
Paul Canton built a life in Central Florida, got married and raised a family after leaving the Marine Corps in 1998. (Facebook) 'Flawed System' Both Democratic and Republican politicians, especially from Florida, have voiced concerns over Canton’s plight, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with former Congresswomen Val Demings and current representative Daniel Webster, some even offering help to the former Marine.
But Canton feels the U.S. immigration system is flawed, especially when laws aren’t in the books to allow automatic citizenship to veterans who were honorably discharged with no prior criminal transgressions. His attorney, Elizabeth Ricci, was hopeful Canton would receive citizenship on appeal, but that wasn’t the case.
Left with few options, Canton is planning to uproot his life in the U.S. and return to New Zealand.
Canton looks back on his service with pride. His home in Marion County, Florida, is decorated with memories from his life as a Marine.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
Probably a Dishonorable or a felony in there somewhere.
The money didn’t get to the right place[people].
Or perhaps he would not be shaken down. Or maybe he did not have the money to be shaken down.
Everyone knows that money is the oil that greases the wheel of the American Political Machine or System.
That is the way it was designed. It runs smoothly when well greased.
He’s had 25 years. If it wasn’t for double-standards, some FReepers would have no standards at all. Go home and do it right, Marine! That’s an order!
Consolidated Administration (CONAD) was there to assist him getting his residency and his citizenship the entire time. For free. It took my wife three years.
And he squandered it. Bye!
Or he could just obey the law. 🙄
“It was his family and friends who seemed to have pushed him to apply”
Florida caught it when he went to get his driver’s license renewed in 2019.
“””” His voting record has complicated other potential immigration paths (like family-based sponsorship), as unlawful voting can bar relief under immigration law”””
If GROK is accurate, then this honorably discharged Marine voted when he was NOT A US CITIZEN.
Give him the heave-ho!!!!!
“”””My argument is that it’s so easy that you can bet the Democrat NGOs that were taking in all the illegals who entered the country during Biden were providing them assistance in getting SSN’s and drivers licenses then illegally registering them to vote””””
Let’s hope the NGO’s helped millions of illegals to Register to Vote.
That will make it so much easier to DEPORT THEM ALL.
In his youth, Canton was granted a foreign exchange student visa but overstayed his time. He decided to enlist in the Marine Corps on March 29, 1991
_________________________________________
Actually hes had more 35 years...
And that whole time he knew he was here illegally...
His student visa had expired and he knew he should have left the country at that time...
and he also knew that he was NOT an American citizen...
So if the SAVE Act had been in effect, requiring proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, he wouldn’t be having this problem.
Even military.com is part of the Lowlife Fake News Media. Tugging at our pro-military heartstrings to sow discord and division.
How exactly would a foreign subject be recalled to their home country after a US visa had expired? You don't make any sense at all.
I don't doubt that, but do you recall if the first story said why it was rejected? If you don't, that's fine. Story as it is seems very barebones, and quite conspicuously ignoring that critical "why" question.
An IMMIGRANT signs and swears to a thick pile of legal documents...
One of them pertains to voting in American elections...
An IMMIGRANT signs and swears that he or she understands that if they vote in an election before they become an American citizen they will be deported...
Everything is explained and the IMMIGRATION process takes a long time ...
Before I left home I knew everything that would happen and everything that was expected of me after I arrived...
Due to the thoroughness of the process I had little difficulty in fulfilling each step when I arrived and the years until I applied for citizenship...
This guy is lying like a dog...
No recruiter told him that upon separation from the Marines he would automatically become an American citizen...that same day...
Wheres the citizenship document ???
Apparently he never had an Alien Registration card AKA green card...
This guy is not honorable and he dishonored the Marine uniform living under a lie during his stint...
"In his youth, Canton was granted a foreign exchange student visa but overstayed his time. He decided to enlist in the Marine Corps on March 29, 1991, amid Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. He said his recruiter promised him citizenship if he served and was discharged honorably."
Strike 1.
"Canton honored his promise, leaving the Marines in 1998 after a decorated seven-year term. He built his life in Florida, marrying his wife, Paula, and starting a family. He voted in elections. But while applying for a new driver’s license, Canton learned he never really became an American citizen."
Oh so that's when he learned? Not when he was discharged? When he was able to vote without a form of ID? Getddafuqouddahere. Strike 2.
"However, he was not eligible for immigration sponsorship due to his past voting record. Canton said he believed he was a citizen, granting him the right to vote. Canton casting a ballot prevents him from seeking citizen status, even with help from American family members."
Strike 3 you're out KIWI!
"Did Canton fall through the cracks of a large, complex system? “I feel like I’ve been shoved through a crack,” he said."
Cranial-rectal insertionitis. I'm certain the socialized medicine in New Zealand can fix that for ya. Or maybe just direct you straight to the NZ Assisted Suicide office. Same-day service, just like their Commonsuicidepact fellow nation Canada.
He didn’t fill out the necessary paperwork to get his immigration to the USA completed. He also registered to vote and voted over the years which is a felony for a non-citizen to do.
Apparently he applied under the wartime provision for fast-tracking veterans to citizenship and he was turned down because he enlisted after the war dates...
Actually how that works is the requirement for time in the country...
Instead of applying for citizenship after the regular IMMIGRANT has lived here for at least 5 years, a veteran or a military member can apply after only 3 years...
But the rest of the requirements and the process to complete everything is the same...
A lot of people screw up their immigration journey by Procrastination usually over the filing fees. There are waivers for those fees but it is better to just pay them so the process can proceed. For military the fees are waived.
I think there must be more pressing candidates for deportation. I have a feeling he was lied to by the recruiter regarding gaining citizenship. That there is not a way for him to apply for it now with probationary conditions is just not right.
What made him think he was an American citizen without applying for it?
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