A Purple Heart Army veteran who said he took two bullets in the back while serving the U.S. during the invasion of Panama self-deported on Monday after receiving an order by immigration officials earlier this month.
Sae Joon Park, 55, who has lived in the U.S. since age 7, reportedly returned to his birth country of South Korea after being given an order related to drug and bail offenses from more than 15 years ago that he says were tied to PTSD.
“I get it. I broke the law and everything, but I think this is a little severe what they’re doing to me after I paid my dues, after I did my time for the offense that I did,” he told Hawaii News Now before leaving. “I thought I was doing my part to do whatever I have to do to be a good citizen and do everything right to stay in this country.”
Park confirmed his arrival in South Korea to HuffPost in a short message sent early Wednesday, local time. In it, he blamed President Donald Trump for his removal and said he “will try and start a new life here.”
“My ICE officer told me last year, if Trump gets elected, there’s a good chance I’ll get deported,” he added.
