There is a sign near the top of the U.S.-Mexican fence, written in shaky handwriting: “Deported Vet Kosovo 1999. I was deployed to defend the Constitution of the United States. I witnessed the killing of the people of—” Here, the sign was too weathered to make out, but the message remains clear: this is the story of a deported veteran of the United States military.

This is just one of many stories; there are at least 2,000 deported veterans currently living in Northern Mexico, according to a 2016 LA Times article, and an unknown number living in other parts of the world. These veterans offered their lives to protect our nation; we are all indebted to them for their service.

The United States should guarantee deported veterans the opportunity to apply for readmittance—an exception to the current standard of permanent deportation—and change the practice of deporting non-citizen veterans after they commit minor crimes; this will be achieved through the passage of the Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2016, which is currently being considered in various subcommittees of the House of Representatives.

The country has an obligation to repay its debt to its veterans. But current laws allow non-citizen veterans to be deported after serving time in jail for minor infractions—including drug possession, discharging firearms, and petty theft—even though these actions are often related to hardships caused by time in uniform.

Military service frequently leaves veterans plagued by mental health issues, substance abuse problems, economic hardship, and challenges adjusting to civilian life, which can contribute to criminal behavior. When deported, these veterans are torn away from their families and left to deal with these issues on their own. They also lose the support of the Department of Veterans Affairs, which does not provide any services—such as rehabilitation and mental health care—to deported veterans, despite offering services to U.S.-citizen veterans living abroad.

Some argue that non-citizens lose their right to residence after committing a crime. However, the proposed legislation provides for those convicted of minor crimes, which do not result in damage or injury. These do not merit exile from the country, and veterans deserve special protections not guaranteed to other non-citizens.

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2016 was introduced to the House in July by Representative Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ). If passed, the bill will create a fast-tracked application program for deported and non-citizen veterans to become permanent residents, as well as prohibit the deportation of veterans convicted of minor crimes, excluding crimes of violence or regarding national security.

This bill is an important first step to giving our veterans a simple assurance that they are surely owed: that they may remain in the country that they offered their lives for. Allowing deported veterans to return to the United States will reunite families and ensure better access to healthcare and veterans services.

Under current laws, every honorably discharged veteran is entitled to an engraved headstone, the American flag over their casket, and burial in a military cemetery in the United States, even those who’ve been deported. Deported veterans are allowed to return home in death, but in death only. By then, it’ll be too late. For some, it already is.