Thread by @SenDuckworth

Today, a group of Veterans was forced to celebrate #VeteransDay in Mexico because our nation's government deported them, forbidding them from setting foot in the nation they risked their lives to defend. duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-rel…

I refuse to let them believe that everyone in government has forsaken them.

So I crossed the border to Tijuana to spend #VeteransDay with them, recognizing the sacrifices they made for the country they love.

This is Parque de la Amistad, or Friendship Park, on the border between Mexico and the United States where family members on either side can reach through the wall to greet each other.

These are daughters and sons who are struggling with wounds both visible and otherwise, yet are unable to get the VA medical care they need because they’ve been deemed less important than partisan politics.

This isn’t “just” a matter of doing right by those who’ve worn the uniform: Our young men and women are going to think twice about volunteering to serve if they believe that our government will desert them after they get home from war.

We should be ashamed, heartbroken & furious by the treatment of these Veterans. I certainly am. But we should channel those feelings and use them as motivation to do better.

To be better.

These Veterans fought for us for so long.

It’s past time we start fighting for them too.

We’re letting a toxic mix of bigotry and partisanship keep those who’ve sacrificed for this country from seeing their families or receiving the care they deserve.

Read more on my visit with our deported Veterans and how we can fight for them here: militarytimes.com/opinion/commen…