Danicole Ramos was thrilled to return to the surf on Oʻahu’s North Shore this spring, riding the gentle 2- to 3-foot waves.
It had been years since he focused solely on his education, collecting degrees in Seattle and Washington, D.C.
At 31 years old and having grown up in Waialua, he rushed to Hale‘iwa Ali‘i Beach Park after work on March 13, eager to catch some waves as the sun set.
While straddling his surfboard and preparing for an incoming swell, another surfer paddled over and striking up a conversation.
“That’s when the stranger told me that they saw on social media I’m an immigration lawyer,” Ramos recounted.
His interest piqued as the conversation continued, and the surfer mentioned that he might need help for a friend facing a remarkable predicament.
“He told me this unbelievable story about a Purple Heart veteran who had been shot and was now facing deportation,” Ramos recalled, bewildered.
Filled with curiosity and disbelief, Ramos had no idea that he was about to encounter one of the most significant cases of his fledgling law career.
Just two years after graduating from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Ramos was diving into a case that would attract attention beyond his expectations.
The following day, he contacted the veteran in question, Sae Joon Park, and learned more about his troubling situation.
Born in South Korea, Park moved to the United States when he was seven years old, eventually becoming a green card holder and spending almost half a century in the country.
As they began to discuss Park’s past, Ramos pieced together the story of how a decorated veteran could find himself caught in the perilous net of deportation.
Park served in the U.S. infantry and was wounded in combat during the invasion of Panama in 1989.
After heroic service that left him with lifelong injuries, he then suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, leading him to make unfortunate choices that would ultimately jeopardize his legal status in the country.
While dealing with PTSD, Park turned to street drugs, which culminated in criminal convictions that severely impacted his immigration status.
Despite exemplary service and a commitment to rehabilitation, Ramos discovered the serious consequences of Park’s past decisions.
After spending 2 1/2 years in prison, Park attempted to move on, getting clean and supporting himself in Hawai‘i while paying taxes for more than a decade.
However, an annual check-in with the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office took a dramatic turn that would shape his future.
With stricter immigration policies emerging under President Donald Trump’s administration, Ramos recounted Park’s fear as he was advised at the ICE office to either self-deport or face forced removal.
A turning point came during the check-in when the officer almost cuffed Park, stating that due to the new regime, deportation was inevitable.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Ramos said.
In that critical moment, Park’s situation became perilous; the urgency grew as he felt the grip of impending deportation.
After negotiations with the officer’s supervisor, a temporary solution was reached: Park was fitted with an ankle bracelet and given just three weeks to leave the U.S.
“Thank God Danicole was with me because without him I would have been detained that day,” Park later expressed, grateful for Ramos’s presence during that tense situation.
With no safe options and feeling the weight of the immediate threat looming over him, Park chose to self-deport back to South Korea on June 23, leaning on Ramos for support throughout the ordeal.
Saying goodbye at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu was emotionally challenging for Park, who worried he might never return to see family and friends in the U.S.
His hope rested on Ramos’s ability to navigate the legal system, seeking to reopen his case based on his decade of rehabilitation and service to the country.
In an effort to rally support, Ramos created an online petition to bring attention to Park’s case, aiming to gather signatures to advocate for reopening it.
So far, the petition has over 8,700 signatures, and Ramos is hopeful that by revisiting Park’s past criminal conviction in New York, he might reverse the deportation order.
Yet, the road ahead appeared challenging, as Ramos acknowledged there was no indication that the district attorney’s office had a willingness to reconsider the case.
Back in South Korea, after being deported, Park faced difficulties adjusting to a country that had become foreign to him after nearly half a century in the U.S.
Struggling with the language and flashbacks from his PTSD, the transition was emotionally devastating.
“I’ve been overwhelmed,” Park admitted, speaking about his sorrow during the first days back in South Korea.
As he attempted to reconnect with family members and ease into a new life, he felt shame and vulnerability.
Once in South Korea, he had to navigate cultural stigma, especially concerning his past drug use and mental health challenges, making it hard to explain his life’s trajectory to family.
“I’ve told them that I was going through PTSD, self-medicated,” he recalled.
Park was relieved to spend time with his aging father in South Korea, even as his mother suffered from dementia back in Honolulu.
Describing his mother’s condition, Park shared that he told her he was merely on vacation, trying to shield her from the harsh reality of his situation.
Reflecting on his life, Park shared insights about his experience as a green card holder, noting how he felt like a legal resident in America for most of his life without realizing the importance of applying for citizenship.
After moving to the U.S., he grew up in Los Angeles and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was later awarded a Purple Heart for his service.
However, after his military service, he found himself abandoned by the system when seeking help for his injuries.
“From the day I was shot until around 2008, I didn’t receive a penny of any kind of benefits from the military,” Park explained, highlighting the inadequate support from veterans’ services.
The struggle continued as he faced serious legal ramifications from drug possession charges stemming from his PTSD struggles, prohibiting him from maintaining his residency status.
While he was told his case was low priority during the years he was living clean, the political climate shifted.
Under the Trump administration, deportation efforts intensified, creating fear and insecurity for veterans like Park who found themselves in vulnerable situations without citizenship.
As Ramos worked tirelessly to craft a path back to the United States for Park, he noted that even as an immigrant, Park had contributed significantly to society and deserved compassion.
“I have eight to 10 clients who are veterans seeking naturalization,” Ramos said, discussing the myriad of challenges faced by veterans navigating immigration laws.
Park’s story represents a larger trend of emerging hardships for immigrant veterans, illustrating how systemic issues have neglected those who served the country with honor.
The case has sparked outrage across social media, drawing on the collective frustrations surrounding immigration policies that threaten individuals who have sacrificed for the nation.
Comments on Ramos’s petition reveal a deep sense of empathy and recognition of Park’s sacrifices.
Veterans and supporters expressed their disbelief at the treatment Park received, arguing that his past mistakes should not overshadow his dedicated service.
An impassioned plea from one commenter highlighted the need for the nation to support those who put their lives on the line for its safety.
Ramos’s efforts have opened a dialogue about the need for a more humane and compassionate approach to veterans detained by immigration authorities.
In the fight for justice, Ramos acknowledged the steep learning curve he faced as he navigated media requests and public interest surrounding Park’s situation.
“Being a new lawyer, I had to jump in and adapt quickly to the demands of this unique case,” Ramos shared.
His passion for justice led him to become a lawyer after years advocating for immigrant rights, reinforcing his determination to help those in need.
In South Korea, Park continues to grapple with the challenges of his new reality while reflecting on his past experiences with resolute pride.
“I earned that life,” Park expressed, recalling his achievements and the connections he forged in the U.S.
Amid the struggles, Park found solace in the support from advocates and voices standing up for his cause, inspiring hope for a better future.
While he waits for potential developments in his case through Ramos’s advocacy, he reflects deeply on his dedication and pride in being a veteran.
Although separated from his life in Hawaiʻi, Park hopes to reconnect with the community that once welcomed him with open arms and continue his journey toward healing, understanding, and service.
image source from：hawaiibusiness
