15 Years After Deportation, Marine Wins Right to Come Back to U.S.

The Times provided little information about what this man did to be convicted of a crime other than to say he maimed a dog. Based on his incarceration time it was bad enough to raise to the level of a felony and warranted real punishment. So this is the type of person Gov. Brown want in the U.S., some guy how tortures animals which is often the precursor to doing the same to people. Good work Governor.

I’m a former Marine as well, so this hits close to home. I personally knew two very fine Maribes that we’re not US citizens when I was on Active Duty. Both were very intelligent and understood the law and I presume this individual did as well. I don’t know the specifics of his criminal case but maiming a dog is not normal behavior. People with serious problems are cruel to animals.

Merry Christmas to this deserving Veteran, who deserves a second chance. So happy this has happened for him and I hope he can readjust and make a better life for himself.

How hard would it have been for Mr. Chavez to not, for the purposes of sport an pleasure, to maim that dog? Actions have consequences, Marine vet or no. I'm not saying Chavez should not be allowed to return. He was free to move about Mexico at will for those 15 years. His 10 months in prison was a pittance compared to the disgusting nature of the crime. It's hard to believe that the 3 or so years he remained in California following his release were spent as an exemplar of society. What was it that brought him into the legal system a subsequent time or times, to the point a judge finally said enough is enough.?

Could could you tell us a little more of the “maiming a dog” animal cruelty conviction that earned him what at the time would have been an unusual 10 months in jail? On second thought, please don’t because I’m sure it will ruin this feel good narrative and my day.

As a veteran I appreciate his service. He could have avoided all of this by applying for citizenship. He is subject to the law like everyone else. Because he was a Matine does not make him innocent. I served with both good and bad military members. Lee Harvey Oswald was a Marine.

Sorry, but this man abused a dog to the point of injury. Not a fine upstanding citizen. His service is appreciated, but as a dog owner and dog lover, I view any human violence towards these blameless creatures as a deep character flaw which will eventually lead to similar behavior towards humans. If the left doesn't stop elevating such people to the status of heroes just because they "immigrated", legal or not, there is no hope for social or political change in this country.

Marco A. Chavez was convicted in 1998 of animal cruelty for beating a dog. Did Gov.Jerry Brown pardon all person convicted of animal cruelty, or just those who had been deported?

I appreciate this guy's service in the Marines but this does make me question how much the typical "dreamer" family contributes in taxes relative to what they take out. He was in jail which costs ~$40K/year. His ex wife never worked because of her back. 3 sons through public school costing ~$10K per year so more than a quarter million dollars in total. Plus welfare and likely medicaid etc. The math just doesn't work even if he had not gone to jail and had maintained a stable but low income as before his arrest and deportation.

Leave it to uber-liberal Jerry Brown to set the stage for this deportee's return. Being a veteran has nothing to do with all of this; he was deported for legal cause and should have remained deported. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

I hope he has received treatment for his mental problems. Animal cruelty is not trivial.

I am happy for this man - and his family. And I am glad that the NYT is reporting these stories. But let's be clear one man's story does not make a policy. Immigration reform is required and the reform needs to be what is good for America and not the immigrants. So, we should participate in this debate without casting aspersions on motives of folks who want to reform this system for America. And look no further than this man's family who barely lasted a few months outside America. And if I were a betting man, they would agree that many of immigrants will do anything to live in America - and illegally. So, let's use this man as an example of why immigration reform is needed from an American point.

Maiming a dog? He is not a nice man. Someone with a good character would never do that. He should not have been allowed back.

It's funny how little information comes through once summarized. He was deported because he "maimed a dog". Overzealous prosecutor or welcome back psychopath?

"He was convicted in 1998 of animal cruelty for maiming a dog, according to court papers, and spent 10 months in prison." Not a minor offense, akin to the cruelest domestic violence and a proven gateway to further, ever increasing violence. I'm glad he went through the system and didn't just sneak over the border which he easily could have but let's not minimize the cause of his deportation or how that kind of violence could have negatively impacted his children had he been present.

This case is not egregious, but it would be absurd to pass a bill to protect Dreamers, on the theory that they have not committed any crime. It would appear that California's solution is either not to charge illegal immigrants (prior NY Times article) or now to pardon them.

Good old U.S.A. "Immigrants" are good enough to kill and die for the country but not good enough to live here after. Like many ex-military who don't make it a lifelong calling this man probably couldn't find a job. The drug business is very lucrative and easy. Just ask BIG pharma that is pushing "prescription" addictive drugs. What a country. It's way past time WE THE PEOPLE get it cleaned up.

The U.S. military not only recruits legal residents and citizens, but it also recruits those who are in the U.S. on other temporary visas, according to reliable sources.