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(SAN DIEGO — November 7, 2023) At their Tuesday meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved action proposed by Supervisor Joel Anderson, who represents the East County communities of District 2. Supervisor Anderson’s board letter directs County staff to create a pilot program under the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs that would perform outreach and education to active-duty military members and veterans that qualify for the federal government’s Military Parole in Place (MIL-PIP) program. “Those who serve our country, those who put their lives on the line for our freedom, deserve the very best from us,” shared Supervisor Anderson. “I am grateful to my colleagues for recognizing the importance of making sure that every veteran and future veteran in San Diego County receives all the benefits that they earned and deserve,” he continued. The MIL-PIP program is reserved for active-duty military members and veterans and grants their spouses, parents, and children temporary permission to be in the United States while they pursue legal status. This program was inspired by the tragic story of Army Staff Stg. Alex R. Jimenez, whose spouse was facing deportation while her husband was missing in action in Iraq in 2007. At the time, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security issued the first “parole in place” for Jimenez’s spouse. A couple years after Jimenez’s body was recovered, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services officially established the MIL-PIP program. Prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Anderson was joined by Ron Stark, President of the San Diego Veterans Coalition’s Board of Directors, and Richard Barrera, President of the San Diego Unified School District’s Board of Trustees, at a press conference held outside the County Administration Center. “Veterans are better supported when their family is nearby,” shared Stark. He continued, “This is an opportunity for San Diego [county] to demonstrate that we are part of a grateful nation— we appreciate that veteran’s service and we appreciate that veteran’s family.” “This is such an important effort and it is consistent with the work that Supervisor Anderson has done for so many years supporting active-duty military families in our community and supporting veterans,” shared Barrera. Barrera explained that supporting the families of veterans and active-duty military members benefits the community at large. “Our schools are stronger, our students do better, and our community is stronger,” he added. County staff will return within 120 days with the first iteration of this pilot program and the Board of Supervisors will have an opportunity to make additional recommendations to the proposed pilot program at that time. ### |
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Supervisor Anderson spoke at a press conference prior to the Board’s vote. |
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Ron Stark (Center), President of the San Diego Veterans Coalition’s Board of Directors |
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Richard Barrera (Center), President of the San Diego Unified School District’s Board of Trustees |
