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17 YR. Old Can’t Get A Pardon From Iowa After 3 Tours In Iraq

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Chhayarith Yem was 17 yrs. Old when he and his then girlfriend took a check that didn't belong to them and cashed it in Iowa. Although he paid restitution, that one event has haunted Tommy, that's what we call Chhayarith.

He was born in Cambodia and the oldest son of the Yem family. His childhood before coming to the United States was one he hasn't shared often with us, his in-laws, but some of the details he recants are horrific accounts of even murder, including a baby, a sibling during the Cambodian Genocide. They were able escaped from the havoc in Cambodia to the United States and he now has his own family. Chhayarith, his wife Deanna, and 3 sons are stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska where he serves in the United States Army as a Sergeant. He also has 2 sons living with their mother in the state of Tennessee. 

Chhayarith pictured above posing beside the helicopter he maintains in Iraq.

Iowa wasn't wrong in disciplining Tommy, but he was a kid. He had improper representation as far as I'm concerned because he was charged as an adult.  What parental figure allows your child to be charged as an adult for a bounced check? Tommy wasn't with his parents at the time and they didn't speak English.  He was on his own.

Since that sentence the new laws stating anyone without a green card and has a record will be automatically deported. Tommy has been fighting this issue to not be deported, to be able to become a US citizen and to not be estranged from his wife and children, the rest of his family and from the army.

The army has been good to Tommy and Tommy has been good to the United States. Three tours in Iraq risking his life for our country seems to still hold no clout with the State of Iowa for this US soldier and the cloud of possible deportation hangs over-head.

His home state is in Maine. I am embarrassed to note that the offices of our Senators decided to not get involved and aide Tommy in getting a pardon from Iowa that would allow Tommy to become a United States citizen, and ultimately allow him to remain here in the US and continue his career as a Sergeant in the US Army.  

Let me add, a soldier that had killed someone from the result of an accident that was alcohol related had done one tour in Iraq got a pardon. He also was not a US citizen. So our son-in-law, who is a Sergeant in the United States Army, has done 3 tours in Iraq bounces a check at 17, pays restitution immediately, has a wife and 5 sons and a great career working on specialty helicopters can't get a pardon? Well excuse me for thinking this is a huge injustice. 

After years of seeing my daughter and son-in-law pay thousands of dollars for representation to get this matter addressed and still no acknowledgment from the State of Maine or Iowa. I'm fuming and scared we will lose our son-in-law, our grandsons will lose their father, and our daughter will lose her husband.

Currently an attorney from Hawaii has been working on Tommy's  behalf, but still the ultimate decision from the State Of Iowa refuses to address this and get it done!

"One thing that seems to work in our country is if enough people shout out injustice sometimes the right people take notice." - Susan Flaherty

Susan is a Freelance Writer residing in Maine.  Questions or concerns in regards to this article please contact Susan at media@charterblogdaily.com

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