Special Edition: Memorial Day A Critical Time for the VA

MONDAY, MAY 26
PROGRAM #10785 12:00 PM PT

Special Edition: Memorial Day

A Critical Time for the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to eliminate thousands of jobs as part of an institutional restructuring. These changes could reduce the physical and mental health care currently provided to millions of veterans. What veterans’ protections are threatened? In what ways is the VA already feeling the impact of this downsizing? Which veterans are most likely to be affected?

Guest: Félix Madrigal-Rodríguez, Texas State Commander, American GI Forum, and Vietnam Combat Veteran, Hidalgo County, Texas.

Facing Deportation. Thousands of foreign-born veterans have been deported in recent years and are now another target of mass deportation policies. One recent case that has drawn national attention is José Barco, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq and is currently detained in Texas. How many veterans have been deported in recent months? What legal guarantees do those who served the country have to stay? Are there any initiatives to adjust their immigration status?

Guest: Robert Vivar, Executive Director of Unified U.S. Deported Veterans “Leave No One Behind”

Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr

For more information about Linea Abierta and to find previous shows visit our  Linea Abierta page.