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Copyright © 2008 The G.I. Go Fund, Inc. All rights reserved.
The G.I. Go Fund
Where Veterans Go Forward
Mother of fallen soldier now faces deportation
Needing assistance, the Paterson woman reached out to the G.I. Go Fund, a veterans’
organization based in Newark's City Hall. The organization, eager to help Galdos with her
situation, organized a meeting with her in Senator Bob Menendez's office.
"What is happening to this woman is a tragedy," said G.I. Go Executive Director Jack Fanous.
"Her son went overseas to defend our country, lost his life, and our response is to deport his
mother. This is completely unacceptable on all levels."
The G.I. Go Fund felt that Menendez, who recently co-sponsored legislation that seeks to
automatically grant permanent residency for parents and spouses of family members who die in
war, would take particular interest in this case.
"[Senator Menendez] has been a key proponent of many issues regarding veterans in the past,"
said Fanous. "He recognized that this was a problem long before Ms. Galdos was put in this
situation. It is crucial to ensure not only that Ms. Galdos is taken care of properly, but also that
something like this never happens again."
Menendez's office was able to offer words of encouragement to Ms. Galdos regarding her status,
but it remains unclear whether her problem will be rectified.
But word [of her situation] is spreading. Numerous media outlets, including local radio stations
and several Spanish-speaking news outlets, have picked up the story. Message boards have
been flooded with comments, both English and Spanish, expressing outrage about the situation,
with people asking how a mother could be deported from the country that her son died to protect.
"This poor woman has suffered enough. Let this woman stay here in America," writes one angry
reader. Another writes "She deserves to stay!"
Those on the front lines of the cause feel that this public outcry is good, as it will alert more
people to the situation and create pressure on the immigration services to change their stance.
"We simply cannot allow something like this to happen," said G.I. Go Deputy Director Alexander
Manis. "She is a good woman who is having something terrible happen to her. She doesn't know
what else to do, or what is going to end up happening. But people are noticing, and I hope that
leads to a proper resolution for her."
Many things remain up in the air regarding Ms. Galdos’ predicament. But one thing is certainly
clear: this is not what her son would have wanted.
organization based in Newark's City Hall. The organization, eager to help Galdos with her
situation, organized a meeting with her in Senator Bob Menendez's office.
"What is happening to this woman is a tragedy," said G.I. Go Executive Director Jack Fanous.
"Her son went overseas to defend our country, lost his life, and our response is to deport his
mother. This is completely unacceptable on all levels."
The G.I. Go Fund felt that Menendez, who recently co-sponsored legislation that seeks to
automatically grant permanent residency for parents and spouses of family members who die in
war, would take particular interest in this case.
"[Senator Menendez] has been a key proponent of many issues regarding veterans in the past,"
said Fanous. "He recognized that this was a problem long before Ms. Galdos was put in this
situation. It is crucial to ensure not only that Ms. Galdos is taken care of properly, but also that
something like this never happens again."
Menendez's office was able to offer words of encouragement to Ms. Galdos regarding her status,
but it remains unclear whether her problem will be rectified.
But word [of her situation] is spreading. Numerous media outlets, including local radio stations
and several Spanish-speaking news outlets, have picked up the story. Message boards have
been flooded with comments, both English and Spanish, expressing outrage about the situation,
with people asking how a mother could be deported from the country that her son died to protect.
"This poor woman has suffered enough. Let this woman stay here in America," writes one angry
reader. Another writes "She deserves to stay!"
Those on the front lines of the cause feel that this public outcry is good, as it will alert more
people to the situation and create pressure on the immigration services to change their stance.
"We simply cannot allow something like this to happen," said G.I. Go Deputy Director Alexander
Manis. "She is a good woman who is having something terrible happen to her. She doesn't know
what else to do, or what is going to end up happening. But people are noticing, and I hope that
leads to a proper resolution for her."
Many things remain up in the air regarding Ms. Galdos’ predicament. But one thing is certainly
clear: this is not what her son would have wanted.
Article by: James Fanous
When Sgt. Christian Bueno-Galdos joined the
military, he hoped that his enlistment would
help protect those closest to him. Now, after
paying the ultimate sacrifice, the country he
left to defend is on the verge of tearing his
family apart.
Sgt. Bueno-Galdos was working to help his
mother obtain permanent residency status in
the United States. But when he was killed in
Baghdad in May of 2009, his mother's path to
citizenship was put in jeopardy.
Now, still mourning the death of her son,
Eugenia Galdos is facing deportation by
American Immigration Services.
"I don’t want to go because I have my son
buried here,” Galdos said. “My son gave his
life for this country."
military, he hoped that his enlistment would
help protect those closest to him. Now, after
paying the ultimate sacrifice, the country he
left to defend is on the verge of tearing his
family apart.
Sgt. Bueno-Galdos was working to help his
mother obtain permanent residency status in
the United States. But when he was killed in
Baghdad in May of 2009, his mother's path to
citizenship was put in jeopardy.
Now, still mourning the death of her son,
Eugenia Galdos is facing deportation by
American Immigration Services.
"I don’t want to go because I have my son
buried here,” Galdos said. “My son gave his
life for this country."
Mother of Fallen Solider Sgt. Christian Bueno Galdos, still grieving for
her son, is now forced to fight for her right to stay in the country her
son died for.
her son, is now forced to fight for her right to stay in the country her
son died for.