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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE, SERVICE, AND LEGACY OF MIGUEL PEREZ JR.
WHEREAS, Miguel Perez Jr., was born on April 17, 1978, in Guadalajara, Mexico and came to the United States with his family at 8 years old; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perez was a combat veteran of the United States Army who honorably served in the War on Terror, including two tours in Afghanistan in direct support of U.S. Special Forces; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perez provided indispensable logistical and operational support under combat conditions and endured significant combat-related trauma, later diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
WHEREAS, upon returning from service, Mr. Perez sought assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but faced systemic barriers to care, including denial of services; and
WHEREAS, due to physical and mental injuries, Mr. Perez began battling drug addiction, which eventually led to incarceration for a nonviolent offense; and, despite having completed his sentence, was subsequently detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and deported to Mexico on March 2018; and
WHEREAS, the deportation of Mr. Perez compounded the physical and psychological injuries he sustained during his military service by imposing additional trauma, isolation, and instability, exacerbating his mental and physical health challenges while leaving him especially vulnerable without access to consistent medical care, veteran support services, or community protection; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Perez used his voice to speak on the barriers and failures many veterans face when returning from service, particularly for veterans suffering from PTSD and related injuries; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Perez was a member of Green Card Veterans LULAC Council #5310 and was granted a service-connected disability rating for PTSD after he was incarcerated; and
WHEREAS, the treatment and detention of Mr. Perez underscore the profound inequities faced by immigrant veterans who served this nation yet were denied the support, care, and dignity they earned;
WHEREAS, after decades of service and advocacy, Miguel Perez Jr. passed away unexpectedly on October 6, 2025 while visiting family in Mexico.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby hold reverence in honor of the life, military service, and legacy of Miguel Perez Jr., as we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know him; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board recognizes his story as a call to action to address systemic failures in veteran mental health care, reintegration services, and the treatment of formerly incarcerated and immigrant veterans; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Cook County reaffirms its commitment to equity, dignity, and justice for all veterans who have served this country.
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