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Deportation case against 2-tour U.S. Army veteran moves forward (Iraq war vet)
KJZZ ^ | 05/09/2025 | Alisa Resnick

Posted on 05/09/2025 7:23:47 PM PDT by Az Joe

The case against a two-tour U.S. Army veteran facing deportation will continue for now. Forty-five-year-old Marlon Parris is from Trinidad and Tobago originally, and he’s been in the U.S. on a green card since the 1990s.


TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: deport; iraq; veteran
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Parris spent five years in prison for a drug offense and he was released in 2016, when he received a no-interest letter from ICE, saying the agency did not plan to deport him, despite his felony charge.

Parris spent five years in prison for a drug offense and he was released in 2016, when he received a no-interest letter from ICE, saying the agency did not plan to deport him, despite his felony charge.

He hasn't been arrested or convicted of any crimes since then. He and his wife have traveled internationally using the letter without incident, and he’s also been able to renew his green card.

But in 2023, a customs agent at the Miami Airport questioned the document while the couple was coming back from vacation abroad. Parris’ green card was taken away and he was referred to an ICE field office. They’ve been in legal proceedings over the issue ever since.

Then, on Jan. 22, ICE agents arrested Parris near his home in Laveen — just outside Phoenix — and he’s been detained at the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center.

1 posted on 05/09/2025 7:23:47 PM PDT by Az Joe
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To: Az Joe

Barring any further disqualifying info coming out I say let him stay.


2 posted on 05/09/2025 7:24:17 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: Az Joe

If he spent 5 years in prison was this AFTER being in the military AND why in the hell are we letting illegals into our military?? How in the hell do illegals have the best interest of OUR COUNTRY in mind??? Just asking??


3 posted on 05/09/2025 7:28:52 PM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can serve in the U.S. military. However, there are specific requirements they must meet, including being a lawful permanent resident (LPR), often referred to as a “Green Card” holder. Additionally, they must meet the standard requirements for enlistment, such as physical and mental fitness, and possess a U.S. immigration card and a Social Security number.

Generally, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to serve in the U.S. military. However, there are specific exceptions and programs that allow some undocumented individuals to enlist, such as the MAVNI program and the ENLIST Act.
Undocumented immigrants generally cannot serve:
General Rule:

Undocumented immigrants, those who are not legally present in the U.S., are generally not eligible to enlist in the military.

Military Draft:

The Selective Service, which would be used in a draft, generally requires all male residents between the ages of 18 and 26 to register, even if they are undocumented.
Exceptions and Programs:

MAVNI Program:
The Pentagon has reintroduced the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program, which allows individuals with special skills (e.g., medical, language) to enlist and earn citizenship upon completion of basic training, according to Curran, Berger & Kludt – Immigration law.

ENLIST Act:
H.R. 60, a proposed bill, would grant lawful permanent resident status to undocumented immigrants who were brought to America as children and enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Other Programs:
Some immigrants with specific statuses like those granted temporary protected status or those with visas may be eligible to enlist in the military.

Legal Considerations:
Naturalization:

While not all undocumented immigrants can serve, some may be eligible for naturalization (citizenship) after serving in the military honorably for a certain period.
Expedited Citizenship:

The Immigration and Nationality Act allows for naturalization for those who have served honorably in the U.S. military.


4 posted on 05/09/2025 7:32:39 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: Az Joe

The “drug offense” was drug trafficking.

“On Oct. 1, another suspect, Marlon Parris, allegedly working with the drug ring was carrying 118 kilograms of cocaine during a charter flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore. Parris was allegedly carrying nearly a quarter million dollars in cash on the return trip on Oct. 7 when the money was seized by authorities at the Phoenix International Airport.”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/feds-bust-hollywood-cocaine-ring/story?id=12167082


5 posted on 05/09/2025 7:34:08 PM PDT by smith5460
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

https://immigrationforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ENLIST-Act-One-Pager-Final.pdf


6 posted on 05/09/2025 7:34:56 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: Az Joe

“Service guarantees citizenship”
-starship troopers


7 posted on 05/09/2025 7:37:56 PM PDT by monkeyshine (live and let live is dead)
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To: smith5460

Obama let him stay. I’m betting he finds a sympathetic judge and stays.


8 posted on 05/09/2025 7:40:52 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: smith5460

“””””Marlon Parris, allegedly working with the drug ring was carrying 118 kilograms of cocaine during a charter flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore. Parris was allegedly carrying nearly a quarter million dollars in cash on the return trip”””””

That used to be such a huge crime and level of criminality that you would be branded a true bad guy.


9 posted on 05/09/2025 8:06:13 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Az Joe

Marlon Parris: Drug Conviction Details
Type of Drugs Involved

Marlon Parris was convicted and served prison time for his role in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to distribute cocaine as part of a sophisticated ring that transported large quantities of cocaine across the United States using private and chartered jets.

Case Details

In 2011, Parris was charged in a federal case alongside at least 13 others. The indictment alleged that he accompanied shipments of drugs and drug proceeds between Los Angeles and Baltimore.

On October 1, 2010, Parris was found carrying 118 kilograms of cocaine on a charter flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore.

He was also found with nearly a quarter million dollars in cash on a return trip, which was seized by authorities at Phoenix International Airport.

The overall operation was responsible for moving more than 390 kilograms of cocaine and millions of dollars in cash between coasts.


10 posted on 05/09/2025 8:13:08 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
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To: Az Joe

Drug dealer. He had the golden ticket in his hand and screwed it up.


11 posted on 05/09/2025 8:16:33 PM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2025... RETURN OF THE JEDI...)
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To: Az Joe

obama has authority to let him stay

Trump does not have authority to deport

got it


12 posted on 05/09/2025 8:19:17 PM PDT by joshua c
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To: Az Joe

So WHY didn’t this guy apply for expedited citizenship?? Did he actually receive an honorable discharge, OR is there more to this story???


13 posted on 05/09/2025 8:23:50 PM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: DesertRhino

Now I understand WHY he didn’t apply for citizenship he was busted for drug trafficking, SORRY he goes he had the opportunity of expedited citizenship and he blew it BIG TIME!!!


14 posted on 05/09/2025 8:29:27 PM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

One wonders


15 posted on 05/09/2025 8:35:57 PM PDT by Az Joe (uired to.)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

Exactly.


16 posted on 05/09/2025 8:41:21 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: Az Joe

Indeed.


17 posted on 05/09/2025 8:45:49 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: smith5460

260 pounds of cocaine?


18 posted on 05/09/2025 8:48:33 PM PDT by yuleeyahoo (“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!” - the deep-state)
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To: Az Joe

Thank you for your service, but apparently you’re a criminal, so, bye bye.


19 posted on 05/09/2025 8:49:02 PM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing)
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To: yuleeyahoo

It was his personal supply. For medicinal purposes.


20 posted on 05/09/2025 9:16:26 PM PDT by TigersEye (The Golden Age of MAGA is upon us!)
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