UH law alumnus leads fight for deported U.S. veteran 

A high-profile immigration case involving a deported U.S. Army veteran has drawn national attention, with UH law school alumnus Danicole Ramos and the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa leading the fight.

Ramos, a 2023 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, represents Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart recipient, father of two, and South Korea–born U.S. Army veteran who was directed to self-deport on June 23 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The case has received widespread media coverage and was recently mentioned on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. It has sparked renewed debate about immigration policy, veterans’ rights, and the treatment of noncitizen service members.

With the support of an Equal Justice Works Fellowship, Ramos has continued his commitment to immigrant justice after graduating from Richardson Law. He works with the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic under the guidance of faculty mentors.

“In every way but on paper, Mr. Park is an American,” said Ramos. “He took two bullets for this country, swore an oath to defend the Constitution, and earned a Purple Heart. Despite his past mistakes, he worked hard to overcome his struggles, raise two children, and care for his elderly parents. His story is the American story, and it resonates with so many.”

Park immigrated to the United States as a child and enlisted in the U.S. Army in his early twenties. After returning from active duty, he experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. His struggles with mental health and addiction led to a drug possession conviction and a missed court appearance. Those charges became the basis for a removal order that ultimately led to his deportation under current immigration law.

The Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the William S. Richardson School of Law provides legal services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers who face significant legal and systemic barriers. Under the supervision of clinic faculty, UH law students work on real-client cases that reflect the school’s commitment to justice, the rule of law, and service to the community. 

“Mr. Park’s deportation has revealed deeply ingrained flaws in our immigration legal system, which often refuses to acknowledge and accept the complexities of the human experience,” said Esther Yoo, Director of the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic. “Thanks to Mr. Park’s willingness to share his story, the public has become more aware of some of the injustices perpetrated by the system.”

Public support for Park has grown steadily since his deportation. A petition urging the Queens County District Attorney’s Office in New York to reopen Mr. Park’s case and vacate the charges has gained thousands of signatures. 

Lawmakers, including Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, have publicly voiced their support. On July 1, Tokuda honored Park on the House floor and emphasized the urgent need for bipartisan immigration reform to support deported veterans. “When we fail our veterans, we’re not just breaking a promise—we’re breaking our people,” she said.

Park arrived in South Korea on June 24. His legal team is continuing to pursue all available options to bring him back home to the United States.